1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
White Hats: People Who Are Trying To Make A Difference
Teacher: Bill Harness
Valley Springs High School, Valley Springs, Arkansas
1st Tim Moore 2nd Matthew Grandon 3rd Saul James Horner
"The
person who tends not to obey the law may create problems ranging from a
handicapped person not having a place to park, to causing the death of a person
by disregarding the law and passing on a hill or on a double yellow line."
Tim Moore, Valley Springs High School,
Valley Springs, Arkansas
Christopher Shawn Crow, Valley Springs High School, Valley Springs, Arkansas
"High
responsibility as a citizen carries with it the obligation to understand the
ideas and ideals of constitutional government."
Saul James Horner, Valley Springs High School, Valley Springs, Arkansas
"President
[Hoover] knew the dangers of a welfare state and how it would later dull the
values and ethics which were used to create a nation such as the one we live in.
The United States is not yet a "welfare state". Today, brainstorming
and perseverance have created alternatives. One plan in Massachusetts created
under Michael Dukakis [put] nearly 60,000 former welfare recipients into jobs
paying over $15,000 a year by educating mothers and older teenagers. A plan in
Michigan has put 150,000 welfare recipients to work. This plan has saved
Michigan more than $730 million dollars in its four year existence. A training
program in Oklahoma [landed] nearly 45,000 welfare recipients subsidized
employment. Another very popular work-fare program is Illinois Project
Chance. Project Chance has put nearly 160,000 people, mostly
mothers with children under the age of six, to work."
Christopher Shawn Crow, Valley Springs
High School, Valley Springs, Arkansas
"It
was acknowledged by a recent article in the New York Times that more people
receive welfare than attend public schools in New York City."
Christopher Shawn Crow, Valley Springs High School, Valley Springs,
Arkansas
"Among
the most cherished possessions we as Americans have are our rights. We live the
way we do because we have the right to believe what we want, go where we please,
do what we want, and express our views and opinions the way we wish. According
to the United States Constitution, we have these rights so long as they do not
infringe upon the rights of others. However, the question in today's society
seems to be at what point does a person cross the line: at what point do the
rights of an individual or group conflict with the rights of the entire
society" And with these rights are there certain responsibilities expected
of a citizen?"
Tim Moore, Valley Springs High School, Valley Springs, Arkansas
In
any society, there are two main kinds of people: The producers, who by hard work
and dedication leave behind more than they use, and the users, who by fate or a
lifestyle of indolence, use more than they produce. Throughout the history of
our country, the majority of the people have been producers. As a whole they
brought about wealth and prosperity and have made this country what it is today
the richest and most powerful in the world. Our country not only produces enough
for itself, but also for many other countries. This is largely due to the
freedom that was long ago bestowed upon us which has allowed man to use his
creative spirit and diligence to produce a vast storehouse of wealth and
knowledge."
Saul James Horner, Valley Springs High
, Valley Springs, Arkansas
"In
order to give back something to society, Xerox, since 1971 has sponsored a
program that has granted almost 400 employees up to one year of paid leave to
volunteer for a nonprofit agency."
Matthew Grandon, Valley Springs High
School, Valley Springs, Arkansas
"Home
Ties, in Cleveland, Tennessee, is a program in which counselors make house
calls to troubled teenagers. They also visit the parents of troubled teens and
dysfunctional families."
Tim Moore, Valley Springs High
School, Valley Springs, Arkansas