LETTERS: FREDERICKTOWN IS TOPS IN KEY RANKING

To the editor:

I have been a teacher and coach with the Fredericktown School District for many years. I have always been proud to be associated with this district because of the quality students and staff.

Recently, I was made aware of a rating our school district received from the SEMO Football Officials Association. We were No. 1, followed by Cape Central and Farmington in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. The schools were rated in 12 categories such as facilities, security and personnel.

The area of which I'm most proud is that of sportsmanship. We were third out of the 33 schools rated. There are many people who question the purpose of school athletics, but I feel there are many life lessons our children learn from competing in sporting events. Whether we win a state championship or not is not as important, in my opinion, as teaching pride and fair play. I don't know of any group in a better position to judge this than the referees. Keep up the good work, Black Cats.

BARB BREER

Jackson