1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
White Hats: People Who Are Trying To Make A Difference
Teacher: George Wenner and John Shoemaker
Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
1st Jordan Whitacre
2nd Missi Thompson 3rd Adam Maliszewski
"Not
everyone can succeed; not everyone deserves to succeed."
Ben Beneski, Garnet Valley High
School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
"It
is a shame that without money it is tough to live. But it is a fact of life that
everyone has to face."
Ben Mills, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
"By
giving people money through systems like welfare, the government is like the
picnicker who feeds the stray dog. The dog will keep coming back for food, and
without continued feeding will starve. If the government would require people to
work for any benefits, the government would help the nation regain a sense of
morality and responsibility."
Ben Beneski, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
"Flo
Wheatley makes sleeping bags and distributes them with her husband to homeless
people in nearby cities. Flo's organization, My Brother's Keeper Quilt Group,
visits churches to promote the bag business."
Martha Harrison, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
"My
dad told me about a Christmas tree farm that takes trees back after Christmas to
turn them into mulch to use as fertilizer. They then give you a tree sapling to
plant in your own yard."
Laurel Wess, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
"In
my community a group of women formed a program for unwed mothers, which takes
pregnant women into a peaceful home so they do not have to go through their
pregnancy alone. The home provides counseling, job training, health care, and
tries to keep the women off of welfare."
"A
new approach to preventing violence has occurred in Boston, Massachusetts. A new
group known as the Boston Street workers has begun to work the streets.
The leader of the team, Tracy Litthcut, explained that all members carry
beepers. When a problem in the community occurs, the teenagers can call the Street workers
to come and preserve the peace. Apparently, the system is having a positive
affect."
Brandon Kahler, Garnet Valley High, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
"Another
community activity that got everyone involved was the building of a Kids'
Dream Playground. Funds were raised, and many community members actually
built the magnificent wooden playground. This activity was designed to unite the
community and also give the children a safe place to play."
Melissa Shepanski, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania