1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?
Teacher: Jill Davis
Big Springs High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
1st Amy Eckman
2nd Kristen Renee Young 3rd Abbye Goodling
3rd Sharon Linsenbach
"Arrests for
murders for adults rose eleven percent from 1982 to 1991, while juveniles
arrested rose ninety-three percent. Ten to seventeen year-olds who used firearms
to commit murder during the 1980's increased seventy-nine percent."
Carly Brant, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"With moms working outside of the home and fathers
sometimes working two jobs, parents are too busy to teach their children values
and morals. They just aren't around their children enough, so the teens look to
a peer group they can feel secure in. Often this group is a gang."
Jeremy Adams, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"Over the past three decades, families have
evolved from, what I consider, the Walton Family generation. The roles of
parents and children have changed as well as their attitudes and beliefs. The
Waltons were a tightly knit family with a stern and sturdy father, a loving
mother, five compatible children, a dinner table filled with discussion, a
strong feeling of love, and the teaching of the difference between right and
wrong. This is the way a family should function. Instead, we see, today,
families like the Simpsons, a family loosely held together by a helpless father,
a careless mother, and two mischievous children. We also see single-parent
families with children having to live with the memories of divorce or with
questions about their lost parent."
Nicole Peduzzi, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"A local high
school teacher is constantly trying to win the approval of his students. He
feels that in order to be accepted, he must act like them and be their best
friend; consequently condoning their drug abuse. I've heard him laugh when
someone talks of 'getting high' but not once have I heard him say that drugs are
unhealthy, stupid, or illegal. Excuse me, but shouldn't teachers be setting good
examples instead of worrying about students' opinions of them? He can be 'cool'
when talking to the students without promoting their drug habits."
Jaimee Ellerman, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"College education needs more funding to help less
fortunate families send their children to college. People can't find a decent
job with a high school diploma. If more teenagers went to colleges to further
their education violence would decrease. Once someone is educated and has a
career he may stay off the violent streets."
Carly Brant, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"Many people are aware of the irresponsible
behavior in our government. ... The government is permitted to overspend as much
as they please because no one has held them accountable. Our country now has a
national debt in the trillions. Is this responsible behavior?"
Jeremy Adams, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"Responsible
parents almost always lead to responsible kids."
Joey L. Morrison, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
Elementary students, who are having problems could be
placed with high school student volunteers. These volunteers would
"adopt" them into their families and instill necessary values. Also by
spending time with them they would show them that someone cares and they
wouldn't feel they need to get attention in other, more violent ways."
Carol McCarty, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"If a five year old child finger-paints on the wall,
have them clean the wall. That would be a lesson of you mess it up, you clean it
up! I learned this lesson when I was young and now take care of my own messes.
But parents must care and have patience, otherwise the children won't.
Responsibility must begin in the home."
Christina Smith, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"I've decided to make some personal
contributions that may not change the world, but will better myself and
hopefully some people around me...Many of my friends are users and I try to help
them. I don't preach, but try to let them know the mistakes they're making. I
don't hold it against my friends; I just make them aware that I care a great
deal about them. My last contribution, but yet probably the most important is
the promise to myself to refrain from illegal drug usage. I don't need drugs to
have fun or 'take away' my problems."
Jaime Ellerman, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"Our Environmental Club is very active in the
community. In the past year they have planted trees and flowers along Main
Street, recycled paper, picked up trash around our school, and made apple butter."
Jenni Tarner, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"I believe that children should be taught their values
at home, but [they] can also be incorporated throughout the child's educational
years. I am involved in the Big Sister program at my school. I feel that when
the support and help that a young child needs isn't found at home that an older
individual outside the family scene can bring it around. My little sister and I
do a variety of things from academic tasks that she needs help in to playing
board games or reading a book. She has told me that I have a great influence on
her life and that she's glad that she has someone to look up to. It makes one
feel [good] to know that they have made a difference in someone's life."
Jennifer
Patterson, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania
"Speaking from experience, young children look
up to their 'big' brother or sister. I tried to stay out of trouble and get good
grades for my sister, so she would hopefully follow my example."
Chad Prosser, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania