1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?
Teacher: Sally Norton
Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant, Iowa
1st Jamee Krug 
2nd Shannon Enos
3rd Justin Lockwood
"One example of irresponsible behavior involves a
classmate of mine. He began drinking about a half year ago. It began as a way to
socialize and fit in with the others. His drinking gradually grew into a larger
problem. He began drinking more and more often. One night he came home and
passed out on the floor. His mother and father found him, and they were very
disappointed in his actions. He is a very intelligent guy---he was just
irresponsible getting drunk all the time. It finally caught up with him. He has
stopped being responsible. He has become an alcoholic."
Kimber Linn, Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant, Iowa
"We need to urge the government to stop spending
billions of dollars to track down drug shipments, and start spending it on
establishing drug courts to put low-level offenders into treatment rather than
jail."
Victoria Hintz, Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant, Iowa
"Not all parents, however, are irresponsible and don't pay child
support. My parents have been divorced since 1985. My father started out just
like the rest of these deadbeat dads. He didn't pay child support for two years.
He then moved into a new house, remarried and began paying double what was
needed to make up for back pay. My uncle is also divorced. He religiously pays
child support, but also does more. He doesn't only want to be a check in his
child's life. He attends every sporting event, doctor appointment, and even
schedules his son's hair appointments. My father's neighbor is also divorced.
She not only pays child support and visits her children regularly, she also
volunteers at the school and is president of the PTA."
Shannon Enos, Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant, Iowa