1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Responsibility, Who Has It and Who Doesn't and What That Means For The Nation

Teacher: Constance Goodwin

Lubbock-Cooper High School, Lubbock, Texas

   1st Amber Cratzki  2nd Pervis Evans 3rd Dnate Baxter

"My aunt's boyfriend was arrested for [child-molestation] É He spent no time in jail and bonded out on a $2,500 bail. I would hope that the therapy he is going through will help him because he received almost no punishment from our legal system. I now realize why victims of sexual abuse become frustrated with their abusers for not being sentenced with a fair judgment."
Kristie McAdams, Lubbock-Cooper High School, Lubbock, Texas

"The people that I choose to surround myself with would probably have my same reaction--to do the right thing and try and locate the party to whom the money belongs. This seems like a stupid thing to do in today's world because values are so pushed to the wayside, but thank God my parents at least taught me right and wrong."
Sherri Paulk, Lubbock-Cooper High School, Lubbock, Texas

"For example, a relative of mine was killed by means of electrocution after being sentenced to death. The charge was murder in the first degree. The government asserted that he had killed a furniture storeowner in cold blood. They failed to mention that the accused was retarded and had been sprayed in the eyes with a can of mace."
Kara Mitchell, Lubbock-Cooper High School, Lubbock, Texas

"With such an unstable economoy and sense of morality as a society, how can we even think of beginning to teach grade schoolers about these matters? If things don't change with the way adults think today, I feel it would be best to leave morality issues at home or in the hearts of the teachers who make their own decisions about 'teaching what is right', if they do in fact know."
Sherri Paulk, Lubbock-Cooper High School, Lubbock, Texas

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