1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?

Teachers: Donna Cox and Martha Collings

Plainview High School, Ardmore, Oklahoma

1st Amy Brimer  2nd Kristi Chaney  

"America today is definitely not the same as when my grandparents were young. People worked hard for their money. They took responsibility for their actions, good or bad. Today's generation is taught not to take the bad with the good. (They) complain, 'It's not my fault. Surprisingly, it is working."
Heather C. Thomason, Plainview High School, Ardmore, Oklahoma

 "A teenage girl appeared on a nationwide television talk show admitting to having killed one of her so called friends. She claimed, however, that she was not in her right mind at the time and it did not seem to be either a wrong or immoral act. Because of her state of mind during the murderous act, she felt that she should not be held responsible for the girl's death."
Terri Boardman, Plainview High School, Ardmore, Oklahoma

 "A sixteen-year-old from Enid murdered his parents because he couldn't use the family car. He had cut classes the day before and had been grounded from the phone. When he was denied the use of the family car, he shot both of his parents. He claimed the reason was because they were too hard to get along with. This type of behavior will give people the idea that it is okay to kill people, if they can findan excuse that shifts the blame onto another person."
Farrah D. Gunter, Plainview High School, Ardmore, Oklahoma

"A man entered a local restaurant where a girl he was interested in worked. When she refused a date with him, he broke into a shooting rampage, killing six people. He, too, felt he should not be held responsible for his actions because he claims to have been under the influence of both drugs and alcohol at the time of the shooting."
Terri Boardman, Plainview High School, Ardmore, Oklahoma

"A single lady named Marie is 65 years old. She now travels from house to house [talking] to teenage girls who are pregnant. She not only counsels them, but also teaches them how to care for a child. She checks on each of her girls periodically, offering them the love and support that is lacking in many of their lives."
Angelina J. Morrow, Plainview High School, Ardmore, Oklahoma

"Teens who are pregnant or have children...travel around to schools and tell their stories...hop[ing] that [their audience] will learn from the bad experiences of others."
Angelina J. Morrow, Plainview High School, Ardmore, Oklahoma

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