1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?
Teacher: Dawna Edmonds

Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

1st Grant Anders 2nd Jason Dawdy    3rd Kelly Shehi

"Part of the reason children of today are acting foolishly and recklessly may be because today's young people look at violence in a completely different way than that of a former generation. Whether or not violence in today's society should be blamed on the on-screen violence will probably always be an issue that can never be agreed upon. One thing, however, has already been agreed upon. The world's values and its sense of decency have somehow declined. Both groups have agreed that it is time to change something. Whether it is content of programming or the actions of parents, something has to be done. If the problem isn't solved soon, up and coming generations will be running the world with a completely different outlook on violence, and it won't necessarily be good."
Steve Yeoman, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

"Another area of youth delinquency is vandalism. I chose this because it just recently happened in our high school. Youths broke into the high school, and spray painted walls, broke glass, wrote obscene gestures on chalkboards, and simply tore up classrooms. It is suspected that teenagers who attended the school did this. Why anyone would want to break into their own school, or any school as far as that goes, is beyond me, but this is just another problem with our society today."
Ben Tenpenny, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

"Also there is a group of students at my school working on getting a bill passed to increase penalties for youths committing violent crimes. This could be the most important step being taken, because youths are the ones in charge, and the ones that are trying to get this passed. One student said, 'We feel that kids must be taught that the taking of a life is not a trivial matter'."
Ben Tenpenny, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

  "Some of these armed citizens are children, and they walk the streets with loaded weapons. Most don't realize the severity of their actions. They feel safe just knowing they hold the potential to protect themselves. But they couldn't be more mistaken. Shawnee County Sheriff Dave Meneley stated in a speech to high school students that an individual carrying a weapon is four times more likely to be injured or killed. Even with these warnings and facts most youth ignore such statistics. Due to their false sense of invincibility they feel as if they are the exception. Many even bring their weapons into schools and other public buildings where the risk of problems greatly increases. Many students complain of not feeling safe in their own school."
Erik Pollom, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

"Many would contend a child living in a neighborhood where drugs and death are seen everyday cannot lead a life outside of that. With strong parental support, involvement in the child's school, and general concern for the child's well being, a child can be shown that he or she can be or do anything. Kids who are instilled with morals and values early in life many times take an active part in their community, not because their parents do force them to, but because they believe in what they are doing. I see many teenagers who are successful, dedicated to their schoolwork, sports, and music, and who care about those in their community who are not as fortunate as others."
Kelly Shehi, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

"As long as there is love, support, and discipline being enforced, then that's all that matters in a productive up-bringing. Children surrounded by chaos, defeat, unpredictability, and despair are less likely to learn the rules of an orderly universe, develop logical reasoning skills, or believe in their own efficacy."
Suzanne Pollman, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

  "School is a place where morals and values should be exercised and not taught. Kids are expected to be on time, respect their elders, and allot their time wisely in order to finish homework. When these basic principles are not taught in the home, they cannot be exercised in the school."
Kelly Shehi, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

"At a time when many parents are unwilling to help their children, the schools should take over."
Jill Hayhurst, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

  "See You At The Pole, a time for people to meet before school once a year to pray in unison with others across the nation, has prospered into a great opportunity to meet people who really share your feelings. This program allows students to realize they are not alone in their effort to be moral and ethical."
Grant Anders, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

  "The family preservation movement is aimed at keeping parents and kids together, since research indicates that kids do better if they remain with their biological family. Fourteen states are currently using this system and there were over 20,000 participants in the last three years."
Suzanne Pollman, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

"The solutions implemented must be human ones if they are to break through the desolation of America's neglected. As a nation we must seek these children out and put them on their feet, then stand by to help them when they fall. In more personal terms, I ought to be concerned about my friends, teachers ought to be concerned about their students, and parents simply must be concerned about their children. The concern I speak of is difficult to give, it involves listening with an open mind and reaching out with an open heart."
Jason Dawdy, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

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