1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

White Hats: People Who Are Trying To Make A Difference

Teacher: Patrick Murphy

whitehat.gif (2040 bytes)

Ramsey High School, Ramsey,Illinois

bd07219_.wmf (14350 bytes)1st Patra Rakers   bd07217_.wmf (15136 bytes)2nd Tawnya Marley  bd07220_.wmf (15782 bytes)3rd Aaron Halford

 

"No matter how bad their lives have been or how bad their future may seem, they [people] need to sit down and analyze their situation and try to solve their problems the best they can instead of walking away from them. I have listened to many adults sit around and define the world's problems, but I have seen very few people try to solve them."
Shad Kleiner, Ramsey High School, Ramsey, Illinois 

"A nearby school has an exchange teacher from Finland. While she [was] visiting a large city recently, her car was stolen and totaled. Now the Teachers' Associations from area schools are sponsoring a raffle to raise money to buy her a new car. Instead of this teacher returning to Finland with a bad impression of Americans, now she will take with her the knowledge that most of us are very caring people."
Leanne Abell, Ramsey High School, Ramsey, Illinois 

"A few years ago, an organization called Prevention Drama, was founded in surrounding counties. We had already started T.A.S.A (Teens Against Substance Abuse) but we felt we needed more. Now we go from town to town to perform skits for other high school students, and provide facts about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, teen pregnancy, date rape, depression, eating disorders and other problems that affect our peers. I realize that our organization is not the most publicized, but maybe it should be. These are important issues that can affect someone's life forever."
Tawnya Marley, Ramsey High School, Ramsey, Illinois 

 

  "There are indications that there are grass root movements in the inner cities to break the hold or appeal of gangs over the youths. The Gautreaux program in Chicago has helped (with excellent results) over 1500 families from the ghetto to move to the suburbs in order to break the welfare cycle, and the hold of gangs over their children." 
Bryan Williams, Ramsey High School, Ramsey, Illinois 

 


          

Back