1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?

Teacher: Lucinda Sanders

Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

1st Lanna Renee Hill   2nd Zack King  3rd Shelley Rightmyer

"Father is leaving, mother is working, brother is in a gang, and sister is alone after school watching television until sometimes eleven o'clock. As the family falls apart, so does America."
Anne Turcea, Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

 "What about police officers, lawyers, judges, and politicians that get convicted of crimes? They are supposed to be the people who protect us and make the world a safer place. They are sending a signal to young people that it is acceptable to commit a crime."
Zachary T. King, Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

 "Children who don't learn about love or sharing at home need to learn [about] them at school. We need to show children that, even though their parents may be unmarried or divorced or abusive or absent, that doesn't mean that they must grow up to be the same way. Even though no one in their family may have finished high school or college, they still can."
Dee Hazelrigg, Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

 "More than out of a physical need, teens are having sex because they are uneducated, unloved, and unaware of society's moral coed."
Ryana Severance, Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

 "I can start to educate younger people right here in my home, beginning with my younger brother. I can be a role model for him by not drinking or using drugs and by simply talking to him about the dangers of doing so. I can become a member of SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) and FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). Just by these simple measures, I am teaching patterns of behavior to young children."
Zachary T. King, Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

 "One program that propels blacks toward college is the Love of Learning program at North Carolina's Davidson College. This minority enrichment program recruits promising young students from the nearby Charlotte-Mecklenberg public school system who are in the middle of their class. Students are selected in the eighth grade and must spend the next five summers at the program. Students attend meetings twice a month where they work on English and math and review for the SAT. a Parents must promise to attend quarterly meetings where they discuss such things as high school course selection and college financial aid. All 29 students that began the first year have gone on to college."
Lanna Renee Hill, Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

 "Danville, Kentucky, has recently instituted a program called AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination. The program is to help students who ordinarily would not attend college to prepare for it by learning work and study skills. Teachers and tutors are available to help with academics, support, and motivation. AVID is a program conceived in the San Diego schools which has spread to other schools and become successful."
Dee Hazelrigg, Danville High School, Danville, Kentucky

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