1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

White Hats: People Who Are Trying To Make A Difference

Teacher: Natalie Garrett

Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

1stMike Godfrey        2nd Josh McFarland  3rd Karen Krumlauf 

"It would be nice if there was an answer to this problem of irresponsibility, but the sad truth is that the world is simply gone downhill."
Josh McFarland, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"We need to stop this system and start a new one. My program is called Revival Aid. This program gives money to only extremely needy people. These people would not receive more money than the working class. The money would be a credit card with the user's picture and could only be used to buy staple foods, not beer and candy. There would be special stores where clothing could be purchased. This system would not be very desirable to live on. Many people would find that it would be much better to work for a living than to live off the government."
Karen Krumlauf, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"James Ownby is a perfect example of a giver. In 1969, he founded the organization "Good Bears of the World". This program gives out teddy bears to lonely and traumatized children and adults. The only thing James gets out of this is the warm feeling inside that lets him know someone else is happier because of him." 
Ryan J. Csaftis, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"A Medford man fixes and rebuilds bicycles for needy children. Over the years he has rebuilt over three hundred bicycles for bike less children around the Rogue Valley."
Josh Alner, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

"Consider Opal Hodgen of Eagle Point, Oregon. Opal visits a Jackson County foster care home for the elderly, telling stories, reading poetry, calling the bingo numbers, and just talking to the residents. Opal has also given her time [to] the Jackson County Library System, [an] outreach program, visiting adult foster care homes. and speaking with residents about the good old days. Opal is another of the good people [who have] taken responsibility for helping others in the Rogue Valley."
Zac Moody, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

"A couple in Sams Valley, Oregon, has taken on the responsibility of raising children with disabilities, who were abandoned by their own parents. The Tapperos', who have one biological child, have adopted six children."
Mary Conway, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

"Christmas Cheer is a non-profit organization that helps needy families in the Rogue Valley around Christmas time. It started in 1987 when a parent decided to make a difference and help raise money for a couple of needy children. Today the organization has grown to be able to help sixty-five needy children and families. The founder, Brenda Slawson, has given generously of her time and should be applauded for her efforts. Because of Brenda's determination to help a few needy kids, many families and their children will be able to have a better Christmas." 
Jason M. Hayes, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"There are many responsible high school students who are lending a helpful hand to our society. Angela Badger, a health occupation student at Battle Ground High School, assists in her high school and elementary school health rooms. She also teaches first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation to local community groups. Betsy Radigan operates Project Safe Summer, a project aimed at [steering] youth away from vandalism and other negative activity during the summer. Her efforts helped create community sponsored events that served 345 at risk youths in grades first through eighth in Portland. Both of these girls are helping their peers, the ones who tend to look to someone their own age, who they can relate to, and help them understand and change for the better."
Rosa Garcia, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"In Southern Oregon, a great deal of good is being done for local teens by SODA, or Southern Oregon Drug Awareness. They recently received a citation for reducing teenage drinking by 60 percent. High school students from all districts are involved with the club and pledge not to use alcohol. A spokesman for SODA stated if they can get teens to be alcohol-free, all their work is worth it."
Kevin Gilman, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"I tried to do something responsible on Christmas day, by helping out with a Christmas dinner for poor people. It was put on by Ashland Christian Fellowship. My dad organized the dinner, and he put many hours of work into it. We served over 800 dinners free of charge."
Josh McFarland, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"Access Food Share is another non-profit organization that has given generously of their time and efforts. This organization collects non-perishable foods such as canned and packaged food. and distributes it to needy families throughout the area. What makes this organization different from the rest is that they operate on a year round basis helping many different families have a little more at meal time."
Jason M. Hayes, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

"In Ashland, Oregon, a group of Girl Scouts took on the task of reminding citizens that it is the responsibility of everyone to keep streams safe and healthy for people and wildlife. This group of girls spray painted the silhouette of a fish and a warning not to dump hazardous waste by city street drains, which emptied directly into a local creek."
Mike Godfrey, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon 

"Another group that is helping others is Health Care for the Homeless. This is an organization of doctors across the country who treat chronically sick homeless people."
Josh McFarland, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

"CATS is another local organization doing good for the community. This program has been around for three years and the main goal of the program is to reduce the population of stray cats in the Rogue Valley. The program gives medical check-ups, shots, behavioral checks, and social training for a bargain price of $35."
Erik Russell, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

"Local television station KDRV makes it easy to help in time of need. Coats for Kids is an organization where barrels and drop-off points are assigned to collect coats and money to buy new coats for children in need. Over 3,000 coats were collected and $1,900 was donated to the effort."
Erik Russell, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

"I think that one of the best things we can do is to publicize more of the good things happening in our school, government, and communities, and put less emphasis on the bad things."
Libby Douglas, Phoenix High, Phoenix, Oregon

"In Baltimore, a program called Magic Me unites middle school students with nursing home residents and the handicapped. The children play games with the residents, talk with them, and work on special projects such as crafts."
Erica Haines, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Oregon

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