1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?

Teacher: Tom Osting

Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

   1st Dawn Eddy  2nd Donita Straka 3rd Shane Hamilton

"Researchers believe that the breakdown in the American family is one of the leading causes of teen suicide. ...Up until the late 1950s, most families lived with or close to their extended family. This would include grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. This gave many young adolescents the opportunity to talk to someone about their problems. Today most of these relatives live far away and many parents aren't home so teens keep their problems to themselves. Today's teens are in trouble and they feel they have nowhere to turn. They are desperately crying out for help, but no one listens. When society finally hears their cries, it may be too late."
Cindy Fuerstenberg, Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

 "Teens get this false impression that sex is something everyone is doing and that it's great. Many of the movies that have sex in them never show the characters using birth control. In fact they sometimes have multiple partners and, of course, they never end up pregnant, unless it is in the storyline."
Dawn Eddy, Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

 "Teachers have the biggest job of all to nurture, teach morals and values, keep order in the classroom, and make sure the children are learning the basic skills they will need as they grow older. What children learn in school is carried with them for the rest of their lives."
Amy Fritsch, Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

"My contribution toward the fight against crime [centers] around volunteer work. Helping educate children, communicating with criminals, and using safety precautions are just a few of the different areas of volunteering I could do to help this nation in the future."
Donita Straka, Iowa-Grant HS Livingston, Wisconsin

 "If the parents already know how they feel and practice it on a regular basis than kids won't be getting mixed messages."
Angie Houghton, Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

 "Although some teachers are taking the new wave of violence in schools in stride, others have left their schools, or worse yet, the field of teaching altogether. This move many times leaves behind the 'tough' teachers that really don't nurture the children...which begins the vicious cycle all over again."
Amy Fritsch, Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

 "Important classes", eh? Many adults may be amused that Tandi implies "math, history, English and science" are possibly unimportant. We included the next three excerpts because they made us chuckle. The first bits of humor were due to typos, but we almost felt guilty laughing at Richard's plight:"I believe birth control should be more excess able to teenagers."
Dawn Eddy, Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

 "Finally I would make sure teachers send home flyers and letters of encouragement."
Amy Fritsch, Iowa-Grant High School, Livingston, Wisconsin

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