1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

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

Teacher: Elora A. Strickler

Antietam High School, Reading, Pennsylvania

   1st Valerie Levan        2nd Beth Civitarese  3rd Hao Duong

I feel responsibility comes from within one's self and it's just a matter of answering to it. I feel everyone knows what they're responsible for, but they just don't accept the responsibility."
Dylan Knowles, Antietam High School, Reading, Pennsylvania

"In the United States today, the growing trend in legislation, as well as [in] public opinion, is to put more emphasis on removing responsibility from the individual and placing it instead on the government, media, or public school system. This is done by creating some sort of a handicap for nearly everyone. Society has made it possible for its members to shirk responsibility for their actions by hiding behind the 'victim' label. For example, people who earn little or no money are no longer referred to as poor, but are called victims of poverty."
Valerie M. Levan, Antietam High School, Reading, Pennsylvania

"There are people who realize that while everyone is responsible for themselves the young cannot be blamed for what they do not know. It is up to the older generations to make sure that the youth know what is right and what is wrong."
Stephanie Schlanger, Antietam High School, Reading, Pennsylvania

Back