1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

White Hats: People Who Are Trying To Make A Difference

Teacher: Patricia Dobbs

David Crockett High School, Austin, Texas

   1st Jeremy J. McCord  2nd Christopher Sanchez 3rd Ashley Wilson

"My family, as well as the other families in the neighborhood, have decided to adopt a neighborhood watch program so that if something strange should occur, our neighbors would call the police. This is a responsible solution to crime. If people all over the country would do the same, crime would drop increasingly."
Jeremy J. McCord, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"I feel that despite the general apathy of the nation towards conserving the earth, Austin has accepted the responsibility and tried to stay ahead of the national standards. We have campaigned against all types of pollution, and in favor of conservation and recycling. I don't think that this means that we are more responsible people, only that we understand how to accept responsibility, and act upon it as individuals and as a community." 
Leslie Bitting, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"Many local volunteers went out Saturday, February 5, hoping to register ten thousand new volunteers in Travis County this year. One of these ten volunteers was a woman by the name of Vera Givens, who is black, and was hoping to increase minority votes in primaries. She went from door to door in East Austin to sign up voters. And while some people were willing to register, others were not cooperative. Givens has participated in such drives for more than ten years. She does so out of a sense of community and citizenship. She is one of many that help solve the low voting rates and help to increase the interest in political issues. By doing so, these people help to make the public more aware of current issues. Ð And not only are these volunteers to be recognized, but also educators who teach and strongly urge those of age to register. A very good example of one such person would be Ms. Dobbs, an economics teacher at Crockett High School in Austin, Texas. In a matter of one school day she encouraged twenty people to fill out their voter registration cards. And not only did she do this for the students themselves, but also for society as a whole. Each and every one of these people makes a significant difference to how and by whom our country is run. Registering and voting is merely one of many responsibilities that people tend to neglect. Although it could quite possibly be the most important decision concerning our lives." 
Carmen Gloria, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"Every work place should provide on-premise child care. The mother could have lunch with their kids. Back 20 or more years, well educated women were teachers. Now these smart ladies are lawyers, doctors, etc.: "government has to allocate for the void left by working mothers." Mother is very important in a child's life." 
Ashley Wilson, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"There should be boot camps for juvenile offenders. Prison should be made to be a place where people are scared to go. This fear should drive them not to commit their crimes."
Michael Hutchinson, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"This misconception about sexuality can be reversed by creating school-oriented counseling groups. In these groups teenagers could openly discuss their sexual questions and problems. Guest speakers would be brought into the groups to answer the questions of the students and offer expert opinions. These speakers could be physicians, gynecologists, psychologists, and volunteers from Planned Parenthood. Through the counselors office, students would be given the chance to participate in one of these groups. Each group would consist of approximately ten same-sex students. The sessions would be held during homeroom classes twice a month." 
Kimberly Reed, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"I would also organize meetings for parents who are not receiving child support to be held at a local library. These meetings would be support meetings for the parents and people could contribute ideas that could solve their problem, and they could then give their ideas to law makers. It seems that people with authority listen to a group of people more than a single person."
Kathryn Rudd, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"My personal solution would be to create a survey to be passed out to all A.I.S.D. students, starting at the sixth grade. I will interview counselors around Austin and will come up with questions to be written on the survey. These questions will be about their family background and what steps could be taken to help them develop a sense of belonging, and happiness in their life. This survey will be anonymous, and I will raise the money to develop the first set of "practice" surveys. The money will be raised by either car washes or setting up a small baby-sitting center at my house for parents around my neighborhood. If there is a positive response from the children who want help, then I will go to a state coordinator for education and for their help in making the surveys available to all students, beginning in the sixth grade."
Angela Romero, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

 "We can start after-school programs to get the kids off the street, such as: basketball camps, talent shows, etc. Personally, I could start a club in school for kids who have been abused, live with a single parent, or have had to face the death of a close friend due to gang violence. Basically, this would be a group for anyone who wanted to talk about a certain [problem] that might make them resort to violence." 
James Landy, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

"There are many other people in the world that are doing good things, but it seems that the bad things in life seem to be more publicized and emphasized."
Jeremy J. McCord, David Crockett High School, Austin Texas

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