Teacher: Janet Newton
1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Responsibility, Who Has It and Who Doesn't and What That
Means For The Nation
Teacher: Janet Newton
Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
1st Amber Irish 
2nd Jenni Williams 3rd Ramona Lazanis
"A woman did not
stretch properly before working out. As she worked out, she tore a muscle. She sued the
gym because no one told her to stretch before working out. A judge ruled that the gym pay
for her hospital bills and loss of work pay."
Chris Beeler, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
"After
the L.A. race riots in 1992, Damian Williams and Henry Watson were arrested for severely
beating Reginald Denny, an innocent white bystander. Yet they were acquitted on all counts
Ñ based on the assumption that they were helpless victims of their environment Ñ
therefore removing all personal responsibility from the matter and creating a precedent
that promoted the concept of victimization."
Chris Jensen, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
"A
young girl breaks her finger catching a fly ball in a school softball game; her parents
sue her gym teacher, charging that she wasn't properly coached. The University of Michigan
is sued for $853,000 by a student who received a low grade in German.
Laura Ann Shively, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
"One
convict, whose sentence was increased for escaping, sued the county and its sheriff,
accusing them of negligence in failing to prevent the get-away."
Laura Ann Shively, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
"A
co-worker intentionally humiliated a man by repeatedly passing gas in his presence. This
man sued his co-worker for a hundred thousand dollars for his crude and very unsocial
behavior.. This kind of immature behavior is at a grade school level."
Amber Irish, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
"A
woman paid $75 for a perm and ended up with a frizz job. She sued the styling salon for
$2500 for the two year expenses she had to pay on special shampoos and conditioners. She
ended up winning $800."
Ramona Lazanis, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
"Violence
is at an all-time high, and everyone is a victim of some complex, phobia, or syndrome. We
have become a nation of blame, of excuses."
Amy Deehr, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington
"Responsibility
is not genetic...it is acquired and must continue to exist in order for society to
realistically do the same."
Chris Jensen, Freeman High School, Rockford,
Washington