1996-1997 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
1st Betty Pina
2nd Beth Ann Stickney
2nd Rebecca Traffas
3rd Sidni Van Allen
"Angry as a bull at Pamplona, my mother stands in front of me giving the 'responsibility' lecture. She goes on and on about how irresponsible I am. She always says that I will end up on the streets if I do not clean up my act. Why do I have to be responsible? Why doesn't someone else do the job? I want to have a carefree life, but acting mature is not exciting. Too many people today feel the same way that I do. What I may not understand is that conducting myself in a mature manner improves my chances of having a better life. Not taking care of myself, not making the right decisions, and not controlling my actions can lead to a life of poverty. Responsibility can only be acquired by placing my own two feet on the path of success.
To place my life on the path of success, I must learn how to make good decisions. Some teenagers create a life of their own, while others choose to live like their parents. Teenagers who have parents who do not make wise decisions are a trap for teenagers who follow them. But we must not always blame the parents. For example, young women who get abortions. This is an issue that is extremely controversial. No one likes to be the person to make that decision, although many young women are faced with this heartbreaking choice. Every year in the United States there are more than one million women under age 20 (about one in every ten) that become pregnant. About 82 percent of these pregnancies are unintended, and about 42 percent of those are aborted. This example of irresponsibility is becoming a common part of many young peoples' lives. The strength to say 'no' in sexual opportunities takes a mature person. To be mature is also to be responsible. There are also instances when young couples decide to take on the responsibility of parenthood. Anthony Milligan, 23, fresh out of the Marine Corps is dealing with a whole new territory; fatherhood. Against all odds this father stands with his new family. This new father is not putting the blame on anyone else but himself. He knows that he made the decision that will lead him to fatherhood. Many young people think that it will not happen to them, but parenthood can happen to anyone who makes the decision to have sex.
On a lighter note, there are young children in this world who are also taking on responsibility. The younger a person starts living a mature life, the better. A 13-year-old Katie Whalen went for a swim in a Vermont lake. Katie was surprised when she read in the paper that a nearby company was using the lake as a dumping sight. The company was dumping raw sewage into the lake. Katie decided that she did not want to put up with this. She went on to form boycotts against McDonalds' use of Styrofoam. Katie now serves as a youth representative on the board of a Vermont grassroots environmental group. Young people like Katie are positive proof that the parents and the environment are creating responsible examples for her to live by. The decision to make a change in life can also come from the heart of the people involved. In the state of Utah, a sixth grade class worked together to close down a toxic waste dump. These children also convinced legislators to enact the states Superfund law. Working as a team to achieve a common goal is also a step towards responsibility. These children are not concerned whether or not what they are doing is fun. All they are concerned about is making the world a better place to live in. Loving the environment is a responsibility of everyone. If we do not take care of our planet, we cannot live. Russell Essary, a seven -year-old who lives in New York, is alarmed about the disappearing ozone layer. Russell started his own environmental organization which has grown to 3,000 members. For Russell, the fact that he is a young child does not faze his desires to take on responsibility. It is too bad that more people do not take on this much responsibility. It is time we stop putting the blame on inanimate objects and start taking action for our own mistakes.
On the other hand, some children choose to not take responsibility for their actions. This is a choice that if it is ignored, it can be deadly. An example is teenage killings. Teenagers who are out on their own with an evil heart towards life can be deadly to themselves and others. 'Honor student Michelle Cabrera, 15 was shot to death last December 21, apparently in a Russian Roulette incident. A 14-year-old boy was indicted.' These kinds of brutal killings should never happen. If parents would teach children how dangerous guns are and the government would get the guns out of their hands, maybe this could be prevented. [However, the] blame must not be placed [solely] on the parents or the government. The responsibility to act upon…[is on] them. [the killers] In Boston a mother of a shooting victim Charles Ivery, 16, applies rubbing alcohol to his wounds. Charles was shot in the chest while walking home one night. His shooter was only after his coat. Why must possessions be so important to some people that they would kill to have them. This is because we, as Americans, put too much importance on possessions. We should learn to teach morals, maturity, and responsibility to these children instead of the importance of a material possession.
In conclusion, responsibility is a characteristic that a person
must want to obtain. There are still children with dreams to become responsible. For
example: Mayra, 17 lives in Mexico and she plans to change the course that every Mexican
woman takes and receives an education. Not everyone makes these kinds of smart decisions.
The young woman who are getting abortions are making choices that may or may not be
responsible for their situation, but some teenage parents are learning to take on their
responsibility. Many children are also taking on the responsibility of the environment.
They are making this world a better place to live."
Betty Pina, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Lens Crafters is going to provide one million needy children
and adults with free vision care.… Columbia/HCA Healthcare is…immunizing one
million children by the year 2000. AT&T has committed 150 million dollars to connect
the country's 110,000 public and private elementary and secondary schools to the Internet.
…The National Football League Players Association is launching a pro-athlete
mentoring program for Native American teens.…KPMG Peat Marwick will invest 160,000
hours and 20 million dollars in 1,000 communities to paint classrooms, renovate
playgrounds and tutor children.…These groups are helping keep responsibility alive by
generously setting a constructive example for all. America needs more leaders such as
these to promote responsibility and good morals in society. More organizations need to
step forward and take part in the well-being of today's youth. This will create a positive
outlook for the leaders of tomorrow and start a chain reactions of responsibility."
Beth Ann Stickney, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In the Blizzard of '96 a bus became stalled, forcing eleven passengers and a driver to wait in the bus overnight. Soon, a woman stepped out of a nearby house offering them her restroom, and feeding them all spaghetti. 'We are so grateful and touched. We ended up sleeping on the bus at night, and we would have felt completely miserable if it wasn't for her.' Also, when Wendy Morgan went on a bike trip to meet her fiend, she waited nearly three hours without him showing up. A local couple came by, and ended up searching the highway for her friend until he was found. After the couple reunited the bikers, the couple insisted they spend the night when it became too late to reach the biker's campsite.
When Doris Young's baby died form Sudden Infant Death Syndrome two weeks before Christmas, she was sick with grief. The funeral home would not bury the baby until she deposited $700. When a local officer heard the problem, he sent an alert on patrol cars citywide. 'Almost immediately, officers began showing up at his police station, handing over five, ten, even twenty dollar bills'. Although, the baby never made it to Christmas, it's life reflected upon the true meaning of the holiday.
When Bonnie Riding bought a pony for her children she was angry to find out the auctioneer had sold her a lame pony. When a generous man heard about the predicament, he offered the woman two of his ponies for free.
Diana Rodrigues, arrived at her hospital thrift shop to find the
once lifeless planter box blooming with flowers. A note leaning up against the flowers
read, 'We hope you like your new garden. All we ask is that you commit an act of kindness
for someone else' Later, a lady came in to buy clothes for her four kids. Diana knew she
did not have the money, so she gave the clothes to her. Once acts of kindness are started
it is easy to continually spread happiness."
Rebecca Traffas, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"The Sedgewick County Community Correction Department held a
Career fair to help unemployed or under employed people meet employers, learn about job
training, and learn how to contact employers ('Local and State: News n brief') This fair
will help the government, because the fair will help those who are on welfare or other
government related programs get off by becoming employed. This will save the government
money and definitely shows responsibility."
Craig Booth, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Jennifer Flynn of Townsend, Montana, helped open a teen
center to offer a better alternative for Saturday nights than drugs, alcohol, and sex.
Eric Perlyn of Boca Raton, Florida, began program called 'Steppin Up' which distributes
new shoes donated form local shoes stores to children in need. Roxanne Black, diagnosed
with lupus at the age of 14, felt lonely, frightened, scared, and in need of someone to
talk to. So one year later out of her hospital bed, she began 'Long Distance Love,' a
support group for people suffering from disease, disabilities, or injuries. Scott Perry of
Grosse Ile, Michigan, has 'learned not only to run an organization but to help teens to
see the real world.' As a freshman, he and a group of 14 others founded the organization
known as 'Heart Inside a Hurricane.' They devote their weekends to distributing canned
foods, clothing, and toys for the Detroit Rescue Mission. Brian Haven Harris of Anaheim,
California, has a dream of a world free from hate and prejudice; and he is determined to
make it come true. The first step has already been taken with Brian starting a pen-pal
service called 'Friendship Sees No Color.' His volunteer project helps match people of
different races and lays the foundation for better communication among racial lines."
Sidni Van Allen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In 1987 the James Madison Institute was formed as a public
policy research and educational organization. The fundamental principle of this
organization is based on the belief in the United States Constitution along with the
ideals such as economic freedom, limited government, federalism, rule of law and
individual liberty along with individual responsibility. One of the goals of their group
is to educate not only the American political, business, and financial leaders, but also
the rest of the world as to the moral and economic superiority of capitalism."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Canon Corporation had established an international cartridge
recycling program and a copier re manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom. Not only is
Canon recycling materials but it is preventing pollution by eliminating the use of
trichloroethane in 1993 and chlorofluorocarabons in 1992. They did not stop there; Canon
is researching ways that the general population can use solar cell panels to reduce the
need for Earth's natural resources. Also, they are researching ways that microorganisms
can be used to break toxic waste."
Darren Thornton, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"A group called The Century Council is out to stop drunk
driving and underage drinking. The Century Council is a non-profit organization to stop
these illegal acts. This group has two specific objectives. One of these is to reduce
drunk driving fatalities by fifty percent in all the communities possible by the turn of
the century. Also, the group wants to attack the problems of underage drinking. This group
is taking a tremendous amount of responsibility by working as hard as they can to stop
these habits, which consist of a large percent of our society."
Scott Mullins, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"We recently had a motivational speaker named Bill Cordes
come talk to our high school. He spoke of a man named W. Mitchell [who] has overcome two
life threatening accidents, and a divorce to become the mayor of Crested Butte, Colorado
and a congressional candidate. In 1975, he cofounded Vermont Castings, Inc., which created
jobs for thousands of people. Now Mitchell travels around giving speeches about dealing
with the unexpected and remembering that 'it's not what happens to you, it's what you do
about it' (W. Mitchell). I believe this is a very good philosophy. You could file a
frivolous law suit and waste the tax dollars of Americans and clog the court systems, or
you could simply accept the responsibility for what happens."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In the community of Medicine Lodge the high school site
council worked together to make the relationship between the youth and the law enforcement
better. The council met with the police officers and discussed why the communication
barrier existed between them. Many new things were brought forth in order to understand
each other better."
Micha Jones, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Despite all the dark clouds we see through the media, there
does exist rays of light people do not realize exist. There are numerous programs and aids
that assist people who have been victimized by crime. Since September 1992, 'Crime
Stoppers', a nonprofit organization, has recovered $2,408,232 in property for victims. The
police too are in a process of reducing crime with a three procedure program: 1) Motorized
control; 2) rapid response to calls of distress; 3) greater investigation of crimes."
Stan Dohm, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Of course, there is also the Harry Singer Foundation itself.
They are dedicated to preparing society for a future with less government and a weaker
safety net. The Harry Singer Foundation predicts that such a future will call for greater
individual character, responsibility, and knowledge. The Foundation encourages logical
thinking and attention to the unintended consequences. One of the ways they achieve this
is by sponsoring this essay contest."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Justin Stover, a student at Buhler High School, learned many
things about Kansas Government when he helped Representative Dan Thimesch pass a bill that
provides for a nine-member commission to Gulf War veterans' physical and mental problems.
The bill was recently signed into law by Governor Bill Graves. Stover did much of the
research for Dan Thimesch by spending many hours on the internet."
Craig Booth, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"It is like 'Christmas in April', in San Francisco, where
volunteers have been helping the under advantaged, senior citizens, the homeless and even
individuals suffering from HIV and AIDS. On the last Saturday of each April, 3,000
volunteers ban together to help the neighborhoods clean up and repair."
Wendy Wornkey, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Maggie Brennan…volunteers at New York City's lower East
Side Needle Exchange Program, where she trades used needles for new ones, and also gives
the needy bleach kits to disinfect dirty needles, alcohol pads, and condoms. By doing
this, Maggie is doing her part to help stop AIDS in its tracks."
Jennifer Dyke, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In Lexington, North Carolina, six-year-old Johnathan
Prevette was suspended form school for kissing a girl on the cheek. 'A feminist group
commented that if he wasn't stopped now he'd grow up to be just like the pigs involved in
a harassment suit filed against Mitsubishi Motors'. When did a six-year-old become capable
of sexual harassment? With their accusations, the women's rights activists are spoiling
the purity of childhood."
Hilary Gray, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Men Against Domestic Violence (MADV) is a coalition of men
working to address the issue of domestic violence against women. This group feels that it
is its responsibility to educate and advocate against physical, mental, emotional, and
sexual violence against women."
Jennifer Dyke, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Good examples often go unseen, and though they may not
receive the credit they deserve, responsible acts create a greater and longer lasting
impact. Volunteers placed labels on trees at Wichita State University. The trees were
labeled with permanent plaques. Six Eagle Scouts from Medicine Lodge's troop 227
interacted with the city, county, and state officials to fulfill their final requirement
to become Eagle Scouts. The final requirement was to complete an extensive service
project. These six boys completed this by installing playground equipment, building
benches, and doing several other service projects for the community."
Craig Booth, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"A Wichita, Kansas, Southern Baptist Church is currently
having a community service program where whites and blacks work hand in hand. The
'Reconciliation through Reconstruction', as it is called, was developed to paint buildings
and pick up trash. As of the first of April, they had improved a dying part of Wichita. In
addition, retired General Colin Powell is organizing a crusade to raise money that would
activate services which would give unwanted, unparented children a chance. Many kids do
not have the opportunity to play games and enjoy their younger years. They do not need to
grow up in broken homes where food and love cannot be provided. Fund-raisers providing
money for this care is a giant step in the right direction. Colin Powell has recognized
this inhumanity and is doing something about it."
D.J. Bell, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Children must realize the world is not entirely negative.
They must understand that good exists and can occur in the world. We simply need someone
to tip over the first domino."
Beth Ann Stickney, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Good deeds, though less obvious, are occurring every day.
Citizens who are not only responsible for their own actions, but go out of their way to
aid those who have been affected by illness or loss, are the true promoters of goodness
and responsibility in America. These white knights are dedicating themselves to making
America a better place for this and future generations."
Hilary Gray, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"The United States of America is the world's leading
power.…Throughout our short history, we have battled immense obstacles [and] overcome
enormous odds to gain the freedom everyone exercises each morning when they rise from bed.
The nation fought through an ugly civil war over the ethical issue of slavery. The 'Great
Depression' beat down the spirits of the American people, and yet they battled on. Our
country has proven time and again it will survive and flourish. The people of this great
land need to rise again to solve the crime [problem]. In light of the history of this
country, there is little doubt of the outcome of this encounter."
Stan Dohm, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In Chicago, a wealthy couple deserted their daughters, ages
four and nine, for a romantic getaway to Acapulco, Mexico over the Christmas season.
Luckily, a neighbor realized the two girls had been abandoned, so their parents could
enjoy a child-free vacation, and submitted them to forster care. This shocking
circumstance may seem uncommon, but it occurs more often than many realize. 7,000 children
are abandoned each year in America. 7,000 children who should have been born into a loving
and caring family are left behind by irresponsible adults."
Beth Ann Stickney, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Unfortunately in our society, many people
shirk…responsibility. It is a bad habit that starts when we are little kids and
sticks clear till the day we die. As little kids, we find excuses not to walk the dog, or
find someone else to blame for the broken vase in the hall. Then in high school, we seem
to find excuses for everything, like not having enough time to finish homework when two
weeks were given to work on the assignment. Even as adults, we find someone else to blame
for our shortcomings. This is the problem in our society today. No one wants to be
responsible for their own actions."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Irresponsibility is literally as old as mankind. 'When God
asked Adam, 'Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?' Adam
answered, 'The woman you put here with me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I
ate it'. Adam shows his irresponsibility by putting blame on Eve and on God for putting
her with him. Irresponsibility is not only old as mankind but also as old as womankind.
'After God heard Adam's rational lies, he turned to Eve and asked, 'What is this you have
done?' And Eve responded, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate'. Even since the beginnings
both man and woman have shown irresponsibility.'
Darren Thornton, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Another example of irresponsibility is when KHJ, a Los
Angeles rock station encouraged its teenage listeners to chase its DJ who is driving the
city's freeways. He would pull off at exits and give 25 dollars to the first teenager to
catch him. Two teenagers spotted him at the same time, accelerated to 80 and 90 miles per
hour, and they ran innocent Ronald Weirum onto the center divider where he was killed. His
wife and four children sued KHJ and its owner, RKO General, for negligence."
Shala Broce, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Irresponsibility not only effects the federal government,
but also effects local government as it has in Latham, a small town in Kansas. Nobody
wants to be mayor in the little town. In fact, nobody even ran. The newly elected mayor
was a write-in. 'I was hoping somebody else would do it, but nobody wants to', Latham
Mayor Bret Calvin said. The job was described as a headache with no pay. 'Nobody wants to
take responsibility for Latham anymore,' Calvin's father said. 'It's sad.' What happens if
nobody runs for mayor in 1999? 'I am moving,' Calvin said. People don't want to take the
time to get involved in their community government."
Craig Booth, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Biological fathers are continuously finding new ways to
avoid paying child support. One father copies a brother's birth certificate and takes on
his identity. This man is definitely a deadbeat dad. He could have every opportunity to
allow his children a life with a great father, but instead, he chooses the easy way out.
The government cannot make a person pay child support if that person no longer
exists."
Latisha Rausch, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"It is extremely sad that people cannot gain responsibility
before bringing another life into the world. If a person cannot be responsible for
themselves how do they expect to be responsible for another human being?"
Marla Kramer, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Americans have become increasingly aware of the opportunity to sue other members of society. Startled individuals receive law suits because their neighbors have had to endure their dogs' barking. Restaurants are constantly being sued for their customer's naivety and negligence. In one case, a man and his friend were trespassing on government property. They climbed to the top of a 40-foot utility pole to steal the power lines. The two had incorrectly assumed that the lines would not be turned on. The man filed suit against the utility, saying the company should have known he would attempt to steal the wire.
In another case, both parties demonstrate a lack of responsibility. A customer ordered a flaming, 190 proof grenade cocktail. He chugged the first two with no problem, but the third time, he became too close to the flames. The customer suffered first - and second-degree burns. Of course, like every true-blue American, he sued. Howard Seftel sums up this case nicely by stating:
'It's hard to choose the dumber party in this case—the
tavern, for devising flaming, 190-proof drinks and delivering three of them to a guy who
was already lit; or the customer, who did not have enough sense to realize that if you
play with fire, you may get burned.'"
Beth Ann Stickney, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Perhaps another example of positive responsibility is the
group Animal Responsibility Cyprus. They are a pioneering group standing firm against
animal abuse. This organization is committed to educating the public on animal welfare,
proper animal care, and animal protection. One of the commodities they are working toward
is building up a library of Animal Rights/Humane Educational Material."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"A winter storm had knocked down a stop sign at a busy intersection causing a woman to broadside another vehicle. The accident was clearly the woman's fault, yet the driver whose car had been hit was extremely kind to the worried woman. A week later, she received a letter from the man whose car she had destroyed. 'As she opened it, she was afraid she was going to be sued for causing the accident. Instead, the other driver sent her a Christmas card with one hundred dollars towards helping her to recover from her loss'.
The Polly Klaas Foundation Website is filled with information on retrieving lost children and keeping kids safe from abduction. This site is in memory of Polly Klaas, a little girl who was kidnapped form her own bedroom, molested, and then murdered. For a parent whose child is missing or stolen, this site is heaven-sent.
'The National Coalition for the Homeless is a national advocacy
network of homeless persons, activists, service providers, and others committed to ending
homelessness through public education, policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and
technical assistance'. [Their web] site contains updates on homeless families receiving
aid from the coalition and a library containing information which helps homeless people to
help themselves. Responsibility is achieved not only through actions, but through
preventative measures."
Hilary Gray, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"[My uncle] owned a parasail, and one Sunday took his high
school Sunday school class out for a fun afternoon. He made sure that all of the parents
understood the dangers of parasailing before taking the kids out. Everything was going
fine until one of the hooks on the sail broke, and the kid crashed. The family of the boy
sued my uncle saying that their son was suffering from severe back problems. This boy was
a friend of mine, and as long as I have known him he had always had problems with his
back. His parents were just looking for a way to gain money."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"A drunk driver was speeding recklessly through detour signs
and crashed. The blood level of the driver was .09% eight hours after the crash. He sued
the engineering firm that designed the road, the contractor, four subcontractors and the
state highway department which owned both sides of the road."
Scott Mullins, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"A New Jersey McDonald's was sued by a man who collided with
one of the restaurants customers when he spilled a shake on himself. The court ruled in
favor of the restaurant, yet refused to grant [the restaurant] payment of their legal
fees, on the grounds that the plaintiff's attorney should not be punished because he was
'creative'. Being creative is exactly what is most destructive about these kinds of
lawyers, if something must be created to win a case the case shouldn't be won."
Justin Ricke, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Everyday images of negativity appear in front of
children…The trials of O.J. Simpson and Rodney King were constantly top stories on
all news casts. The media also needs to take responsibility. They should concentrate on
more positive issues. Kids continually see the negative advertisements on TV, and they
begin to buy into it. They regard the fight as a loosing cause. Give the kids some hope,
and encourage them to continue to fight for a better life with positive pictures of our
country."
Stan Dohm, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Despite rulings such as these, there are irresponsible cases
in which common sense does prevail. Recently, a man from Michigan sued the Anheuser-Busch
Company for false advertising. In this case the man claimed he suffered from 'emotional
distress' from an implied promise that the would gain success with women from drinking the
Company's beverage. His lawsuit was struck down by both the Michigan Court of Appeals and
the original lower-court. The dismissing of the case before it was allowed to be heard by
a jury succeeded in cutting both court costs for the state, and legal bills for the
Anheuser-Busch Company. The lawyer representing the plaintiff should have been fined for
court costs along with the man who began the lawsuit."
Justin Ricke, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Many times I do not think the media realizes the role it
plays in the lives of citizens. All it would take is to show how 'good' people can have
fun without drugs and sex."
Shala Broce, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Many parents today send their children to daycare during
these valuable months of development. It is time the parents put their kids first.
Companies must start to allow working mothers and fathers the proper time to spend with
their youngsters. Everyone has a part to play in raising kids."
Stan Dohm, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"The problem with today's society is pessimism. Many
Americans seem to forget that there is life out there, and that any life can be
positive."
Beth Ann Stickney, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"The evening news and daily papers are full of hate,
violence, and issues that tear people apart - not unite them.…Simple, basic societal
values continue to deteriorate."
Sidni Van Allen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Security guards were unnecessary at 1,100 student Dartmouth
High School, in a pretty university town 50 miles south of Boston, where the sons and
daughters of professors studied alongside the sons and daughters of yacht owners and
fishermen. The federal government honored the school for excellence in 1985. Because of
this, the town was in shock on April 12, when two Dartmouth High School students and a
third teenager burst into James Murphy's government class armed with a bat, a billy club,
and a hunting knife with intent to kill. Police say they attacked freshman Jason Robinson,
16; one went after him with the bat, and as Murphy wrestled the assailant, a second
plunged the knife into Robinson's abdomen, killing him."
Stoney Burns, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In California there is an association called the Institute
for Social Responsibility that is seeking to become a major source of information and
training for the academic, business, and civic communities on issues such as business
ethics and social responsibility. They have accomplished this by sponsoring lectures that
approach business, social, political and health care issues."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"America's younger generation will play an important role in
solving [this problem]. Every year in the Kansas City area 26 teenagers are killed.…
At age fourteen, Rod Matthews was convicted of clubbing a classmate to death with a
baseball bat. The most shocking part of this incident was that it was all planned.
Afterward, Rod offered to show his friends the dead body. One of Rod's friends admitted
that Rod often talked of killing somebody, 'just to see what it feels like.' How do
children like Rod Matthews become so morally handicapped? Is he just a freak of nature
born with an internal evil, a rotten apple so to speak? Not anymore. This is becoming the
norm in our country's corrupt society. Who is responsible for children like Rod? How can
we prevent children developing into the monster that he became? To use an idea inspired by
Hillary Clinton, it will take the whole country accepting responsibility to fix the excess
of crime in our nation's youth."
Stan Dohm, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Conclusively, responsibility and irresponsibility are two
very different issues. One leads to success, however the other leads to failure. Being
responsible for something is very demanding while irresponsibility is easy to obtain.
Dependable people advance in life and unreliable people are left behind. It is much easier
to be irresponsible than to take on responsibility."
Erik Etheridge, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Everyone needs to stop wasting time making excuses for
themselves and spend time fixing the problems. It is hard, and many times embarrassing to
admit a mistake, but that is our responsibility. It is time to get out of our easy chairs
and make a positive impact on the world and in the lives of others."
Shala Broce, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In school, I constantly hear 'Be responsible.' Every year
the principal gives a speech on responsibility. As government students we are told to be
responsible American citizens. Responsibility must be important if it is stressed so
much."
Craig Booth, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"When Kathy Lee Gifford found out that her line of clothing
was being made in sweatshops, where the employees were overworked and underpaid, she and
her husband immediately took the responsibility of paying the people what they were owed.
Not only were the conditions improved, but a nationwide fight to protect human beings from
being overworked and underpaid was implemented."
Wendy Wornkey, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"In conclusion, all it takes to make a difference in America
is for everybody to reach out to others. Responsibility goes much further than just taking
care of yourself. We have responsibilities to everyone near us. If everybody pitches in,
this country can be a much better place for all."
Jennifer Dyke, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Finally, ethical responsibility can best be taken by
following the Golden Rule, 'Treat others as you would have them treat you.' If one would
put themselves in another's shoes, the responsible decision would be easy to make."
Justin Miltner, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"The best way to help the victims of crimes is to prevent the
violation from ever occurring. The Church of Scientology has issued a moral guide, The
Way to Happiness, in order to help restore traditional values. The church, along with
many other groups, believe the restoration of morals and a more traditional approach to
life will improve crime."
Stan Dohm, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"The thoughtful psychiatrist leans back against the padded
chair. She carefully listens to Lisa, another victimized client, pour her broken heart out
about her painful divorces. 'My first husband was excessively violent and my second was
addicted to narcotics. During the period of time my marriages developed, my parents were
divorced and I was extremely upset.' Lisa ponders her surrounding circumstances that
created devastation, and feels irresponsible for the situation her life has become. In our
society, American citizens use victimization as an excuse to take away the
responsibilities of everyday life."
Rebecca Traffas, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Individuals who smoke and later develop cancer or other
debilitating diseases are suing the cigarette manufacturers, saying that they were
supposedly unaware that smoking was life threatening. Smoker Grady Carter suggests fault
when he says: 'I bought Lucky Strikes, and I smoked them…But the maker of those
cigarettes had the responsibility to tell me there was something bad in their product'. It
is unimaginable that smokers like Carter do not see that their lives are in danger as
their health deteriorates and their nicotine addiction becomes stronger. Now, these
wheezing chimneys are wanting the manufacturers of cigarettes to take responsibility for
the fact that they smoke and have become sick. Has Carter forgotten that he is the only
person who strikes the matches which light his cigarettes?"
Hilary Gray, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Nowadays, everybody knows the risks of smoking even before
they take their first puff; There are even warning labels on the sides of the packs of
cigarettes. Some choose to ignore the hazards and jeopardize their health anyway. The sad
part? There are people out their who will gladly take another person's misfortune at the
sake of their own stupidity and place the blame in someone else's hands. For example, the
Attorney General of Mississippi, Michael Moore is preparing to file suit against seven
cigarette manufacturers to recover millions of dollars in Medicaid costs for smoking
related illnesses. There has been a proposed plan for the tobacco industry to shell out
$12 billion a year for 25 years to states and individuals who can prove harm from smoking.
Of course it is not the individuals fault for acquiring lung cancer form smoking two packs
of cigarettes everyday for the last five years, it is the tobacco industries' fault for
making such a harmful product. Many people do not want to accept the consequence of their
own mistake, so they point the finger."
Eryn Christensen, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
"Being a responsible citizen is important. It plays a large
role in the democratic plan."
Craig Booth, Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
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