1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
White Hats: People Who Are Trying To Make A DifferenceTeacher: Janet Adams
Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
1st Jason Tenhonen 
2nd Barbie Caton 3rd Kevin Neubauer
"I
read in the Reader's Digest of a man in Naples, Florida, who read about
several eleventh grade black students who failed a high school mastery test
required for graduation. Concerned, he decided to volunteer at an after school
tutoring program. He later started his own program at his home on Saturdays and
helped all involved to get into college, which in turn helped keep them off the
streets."
"My
dad told me about a local town leader in Seattle who gives personal counseling,
on his own time, to troubled students who are caught up in gang
violence."
"My
English teacher gave me a brochure of a place called the House of Charity
in Spokane Washington. It's made up totally of people volunteering their time to
the homeless. Nurses, doctors, dentists, even people who don't have any special
skills, know
"In
Connecticut there is a Community Renewal Team's Community Life Skills
program which serves the community in many ways. Part of the plan is to aid
destitute children, and instill self-esteem and skills to do well in life. In
this program a mentor is assigned to each child to personally help and guide the
child. Such a pair, consisting of Barbara Wallace, a busy mother, and an
anonymous eighteen year old girl who has lost her father and whose mother had
resorted to drugs, worked together for the best. The girl's grades went from
average to A's and B's, she participated in a hunger walk, and has joined
Barbara's church. After having had a paved path to failure, she is now looking
forward to going to college with a purpose in life."
Jesse Callaway, South Kent High
School, South Kent, Connecticut
Jamie Tesky, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"Crime
Watch....helps to organize the citizens of an area to fight crime
themselves. If children are in danger, they can run to one of these houses for
protection."
Keith Parker, Wallace High School,
Wallace, Idaho
"Citizens
on Patrol (COP) is a non-profit organization made up of volunteer citizens
who report or stop crime in the streets if they see it happening. They meet
every two weeks to talk about their experiences."
Jason Thenhonen, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"First
we could set up a volunteer sign-up in wildlife service offices, banks or other
big businesses. These volunteers could not only curb poaching, but put the
ill-gotten meat to good use with a bonus of free meat given to any volunteer who
catches a poacher. This would encourage more people in need to volunteer, being
an inexpensive way to get food for families. There are also a large number of
people who cannot afford to purchase weapons or tags, or are unable or unwilling
to shoot an animal, who would benefit greatly with a gift of meat. Once a
poacher is caught, a volunteer could radio the police, like a neighborhood watch
except the target is a poacher. Severe penalties on poachers are already in
place. 1) The big problem with those penalties is that they do not teach the
poachers what they do is wrong. 2) I think once a poacher realizes why poaching
is so
Kris Hampton,Wallace High
School,Wallace, Idaho