1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

White Hats: People Who Are Trying To Make A Difference

Teacher: Janet Newton

Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

   1st Amber Irish  2nd Jenni Williams 3rd Ramona Lazanis

"If we could get volunteers to start in another state and keep extending this program, we could have a nation-wide organization of everyone working together. This cooperation and building of trust, and talking about problems, could eliminate some of the irresponsibility of our nation." 
Ramona Lazanis, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"There are many other American's doing a service for the nation, so we need to start focusing more on them."
Shane Comer, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington 

"We cannot see a news headline without noticing an irresponsible or immoral act." 
Jenni Williams, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"It is wonderful to see so many great stories of people helping each other out, but why are these stories in the minority, overshadowed by murders, lawsuits, and tragedies?" 
Amy Deer, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"Even as there are many idiotic irresponsible actions and people, there are almost as many good consciously responsible people. These are harder and fewer to find because they, for the most part, do not make the front page." 
Cecil Boyd, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"There is always a risk in anything that we do."
Ramona Lazanis, Freeman High School, Rockford Washington

"Of all acts of responsibility, my favorite is where a man took matters into his own hands and saved the life of a seven year old boy, who was being attacked by a malicious gang of youths."
Amber Irish, Freeman High School, Rockford Washington

"A hair designer gave free haircuts at a local grade school." 
Amber Irish, Freeman High School, Rockford Washington

"Helen Kilapatrick is one of those people who make a difference by themselves. She got sick of the vacant lot by her house, in Newark, New Jersey, being used as a store for drug dealers. She went to the police to ask for help, but they could do nothing, so she took matters into her own hands. She and some neighbors got together and turned the lot into a garden. and set up a neighborhood watch group. Today there are five gardens that Helen has set up all through Newark. Last year her gardens produced $50,000 worth of vegetables. Helen sends a ton of vegetables each year to churches and missions." 
Chris Beeler, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"One example of a woman helping out in her neighborhood was in Spokane, a few weeks before the Christmas of 1993. Her three next door neighbors all had Down's Syndrome and were blind to some degree. Their house was a disaster. Broken windows let extremely cold temperatures into the house. Every room had the scent of the several cats and dogs the family had. Overall, the living conditions were horrible. The kind neighbor brought people from the community to the house to install a heater, fix windows, and clean up. The end finish was a clean, healthy, safe environment for this family to live in."
Leslie McFarlane, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"A New York activist group called SCARED (Students Concerned About Rape Education) was formed by people who want to make a difference and take responsibility." 
Jenna Freeman, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"Rainier Beach Community Center , every Saturday has functions set up for teens. They try to keep them away from gang related activities."
Ramona Lazanis, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"In 1987, 25 students at Coral High School in Coral Springs, Florida, formed a club. They called the club Save What's Left. Today they have more than 200 members, and similar programs have been started in six other area schools, including junior high and elementary schools. Students have cleaned up canals and beaches, developed local tree-preservation laws, and created a nature preserve on land next to the high school. They've applied for a municipal grant to design a nature park and education pavilion in the preserve."
Nick Dixon, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"Another excellent example is when the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council in Washington decided to donate over 10,000 hours and spend thousands of donated funds to help wildlife conservation. Some activities they did included assisting the Washington Wildlife Department in capturing elk calves in the spring so they could be fitted with radios for a study on elk calf mortality. And in Lincoln County, they helped restore vegetation, stabilize banks, and increase the waterfowl nesting habitat in Wilson and Crab Creeks. ...They hand-carried a water tank into a road less area on Chewelah Peak for wildlife." 
Nick Dixon, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

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