1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

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

Teacher: Mark Rockafellow

Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

   1stSarah Mandler  2nd Heath Frye 3rd Robert Keith Preheim

Vincent Oddo, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania "People sue companies for mistakes like not putting a warning label on a car hood. If a person doesn't know that if you slam your finger in a hood it is going to hurt, he should be going to a mental hospital or something."
Jason Johansen, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

"One day we talked in class about a guy that shot two kids because they threw snowballs at his car and then he said he was the victim;...the two kids died. I don't believe he's taking responsibility for what he did because he blamed it on the kids and how bad his day at work was. If people don't start taking responsibility for what they do, what is our nation or world going to be like in ten years? When I have children, is it going to be safe for my kids to walk on the sidewalk without being shot at because one of them waved at a person in a car and another person saw it as a rude gesture and didn't like it, then he gets out and attacks them in some way that they get seriously injured?"
Jason Johansen, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

"We live in a society of victims where a person's condition is never their fault and whoever they blame for their problems is responsible for helping them."
Lisa Wharton, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

"Some companies don't take responsibility for dumping their waste or polluting the air because of the desire to make more money. ...These companies that are wrecking our environment ...should not be able to have an easy way out."
Robert Keith Preheim, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

"As a student in a small town high school, I am not exposed to the slums and violence in the larger city. However, I do feel a responsibility to help the country, as should everyone who expects the government to help them if they ever have the need."
Lisa Wharton, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

"Everyone is responsible for something, whether it be a child responsible to pick up the toys or an adult responsible for the depletion of the Earth's ozone."
Nicol Hepner, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

"Life is a long struggle for everyone so we all must be understanding to others and be willing to reach out and give somebody help. That is a part of taking on responsibility, taking care of yourself, and sometimes others. So if it is your fault, admit it. Don't in turn blame someone else. If you need help, admit it, but be responsible enough to admit when you don't need help any longer."
Heath Frye, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

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