LETTERS: CAE SHOULD BE PROUD OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS

To the editor:

The Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau's John Blue Academic Excellence Banquet was held recently to recognize the top 10 percent of each senior class from Central High School and Notre Dame Regional High School. Juxtapose the student recognition with the Edna C. Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award recipients and it is easy to recognize how much the community benefits from excellent students and educators.

I have five children who have graduated or will graduate from Central High School. Their daily classroom contact with exemplary teachers and Kinder recipients such as Coach Lawrence Brookins, Mark Hahn, Julia Jorgensen, Diane LeGrand, Betty Schuetts, Mary Ann Stamp, and Kathy Wright contributes greatly to their academic success, but, more importantly, contributes to their appreciation for lifelong learning. What a joy to have these fine educators impact all our children. It is great to have someone else validate what I have long known: Cape Girardeau graduates excellent students taught by excellent teachers. Cape Girardeau should be proud of schools that produce excellent students through the efforts of excellent educators.

KEITH A. RUSSELL

Cape Girardeau