1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Responsibility, Who Has It and Who Doesn't and What That Means For The Nation
Teacher: Henry Behrens

Teacher: Henry Behrens

Richmond High School, Richmond, Illinois

1st Florencio Ramos, Jr.  2nd Abby Ann Dunn

I think the parents should look at themselves. Where were they when the boys were playing outside? It's the parents' legal duty to look after their children. These parents didn't do that. I think the parents should keep this tragedy on their shoulders to remind them of their irresponsibility."
Florencio Ramos, Jr., Richmond High School, Richmond, Illinois

"My mom told me about an illegal alien that was not only driving, but was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The police officer took the illegal alien down to the police station where the police officer frisked the illegal alien before putting him in jail. A pack of cocaine was found and the illegal alien swallowed the cocaine. The police officer put the illegal alien in prison where he suffered medical problems due to the ingestion of the cocaine. The police officer took him to the hospital where he was treated. The illegal alien is now suing the police department for six million dollars because he claims that he suffered vision loss and brain damage due to the ingestion of the cocaine."
Mike Ervin, Richmond High School, Richmond, Illinois

"Responsibility doesn't start at school or with friends. It starts at home, within ourselves. If you want something done right, you have to make it a goal to do it by yourself and you should keep doing it until you're done."
Florencio Ramos, Jr. , Richmond High School, Richmond, Illinois

"The inherent reductionism in victimism is the fact that, simply, if a person disclaims all responsibility for his faults, due to environment or whatever, then he is also denying any responsibility for everything he does, good or bad, and is in fact denying the fact that he has free will at all."
Trajan McGill, Richmond-Burton High School, Richmond, Illinois     

"The Scout Oath is something which is based on ideals, on having strength to take the straight and narrow, though sometimes harder path.  This can never be irrelevant.  Unfortunately, however, it can fall out of fashion, which it seems to have done."
Trajan McGill, Richmond-Burton High School, Richmond, Illinois

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