TOPIC B: Choose an issue of importance to you-the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope-and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
This is my first draft. Any grammatical revisions or help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
August 25, 2012, Andrew Chet Hamm died on impact in an automobile accident. New high school graduate, eighteen years old, and soon to be college freshman, Chet had his future ripped away from him. A careless, adult woman made an irresponsible and thoughtless decision to drive intoxicated with both cocaine and alcohol within her system, and she took the life of a spirited young man whose life had just begun.
With the number of drunk driving accidents and deaths on the news, it truly amazes me that people continue to put themselves in a position to harm themselves and others on the road. This issue is extremely important to me because I have had both friends and family who have been killed or injured because of drunk drivers. Chet, being the most recent loss, really had a tremendous effect on me. When I received the news about Chet's tragic death, my mind raced thinking about all of the opportunities and experiences he will never be able to receive because of another person's decision to drive in a hampered state. Chet's precious time here with us was stolen from him in the blink of an eye. I honestly believe that Chet's death scared me and raised my awareness for this pressing issue because it hit really close to home. A drunk driving accident, as irresponsible as it is, can happen anywhere and to anyone, regardless of age.
Alcohol is supposed to be an adult substance. However, for some, being an adult does not imply maturity and responsibility. It is my belief that if a person is old enough to purchase and legally consume alcohol, they should be able to make a mature, adept decision about drinking and driving. They should be able to determine their limit of alcohol consumption. They should be able to admit that their intoxicated state is their own fault. They should be able to attain a different ride home in the event that they did drink alcohol. They should be educated in the consequences of driving intoxicated. The woman who crossed the double white lines and crashed into Chet had three previous driving intoxicated tickets, yet she was still driving. If a person believes they are mature enough to get overly drunk and try to drive home, then they need to consider the consequences of their actions.
As the number of drinking and driving accidents continues to rise, more people are harmed, whether directly or indirectly. Each time someone makes the decision to get in their car and drive in an intoxicated state, they hold the potential for a crash, a death, and a string of distress for the victim's friends and family.
Chet's death, ---I think this sounds better.--- being the most recent loss, really had a tremendous effect on me.
When I received the news about Chet's tragic death, my mind raced thinking about all of the opportunities and experiences he will never be able to have because of another person's decision to drive in a hampered state.
The woman who crossed the double white lines and crashed into Chet had three previous DWI tickets, yet she was still driving.---I think the word 'tickets' should be 'convictions', because I don't think people who get stopped for drunk driving get off with just a ticket.
:)
