Writers ‘optimistic’ about respect

Writers ‘optimistic’ about respect

From left are the Clarkston Optimist Club Essay Contest winners Sara Houstina, Catherine Laube, and Parker Szachta. Photo by Phil Custodio

BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Clarkston Area Optimists’ 2018 Essay Contest, March 14, asked students “Can society function without respect?”
“We received 15 excellent entries this year. They were wonderful,” said Optimist Kelly Schaller. “We’re glad we got to recognize youth in our area.”
Catherine Laube, 17, earned the first place gold medal, winning a $200 prize and the chance to represent the Clarkston Optimist Club in district competition for a $2,500 prize. The Clarkston High School student is the daughter of Renee and Tim Laube.
Parker Szachta, 14, earned second place, $100 and the silver medal. The Clarkston Junior High School student is the son of Heather and Keith Szachta.
Earning third place was Sara Houstina, 17, winning $50 and the bronze medal. She is a Clarkston High School student and the daughter of Angela and George Houstina.
Judges were Bruce Mercado, Ken Ermer, and Robin Brose.
Most of our life, actions, and events revolve around interpersonal relationships, Laube wrote in her winning essay.
“Communication within these relationships is due to the respect we have for the other person in the relationship,” she said. “All relationships — employer/employee, dating, marriage, parent/child, friendships, and acquaintances — rely upon respect as the crux of that connection and dialogue. We have all experienced a relationship that did not have the foundation of respect. It becomes difficult, stressful, confusing, and unbearable. Eventually, the relationship crumbles and no longer exists.”
If respect vanishes, interpersonal relationships could not exist, she said.
“If our relationships were missing in our society, then our functioning society would be gone. Therefore, I believe a society cannot function without respect,” she said.
The world needs people who respect one another for safety, said Szachta in his essay.
“People have been nice and treated others with respect, ending in a more collaborative and safe world for all,” he said. “If it weren’t for people like this, our world would become a dystopia filled with people that didn’t care about others. People need to be respectful in a society to improve, as this gives off a much-needed, more kind world.”
The most established leaders throughout history placed respect at the top of their lists, Houstina wrote.
“Countries and leaders that destroyed others and their land, never lasted to see their impact. Respect is not only the foundation of a society, but something to live by,” she said. “A community must take a step back and change their perspective in order to accept those around them and come to agreements. If a group of people do not realize the impact of their attitude and tolerance of others, they have no chance of living coherently.”

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