LETTERS: FREEDOM FORUM IDEAS

To the editor:

First of all, I would like to thank the Southeast Missourian for giving me the opportunity to participate in the Missouri Freedom Forum in Cape Girardeau. While attending the Freedom Forum, I gained a much deeper respect for the society that we live in. I also learned more about owning and operating a business.

I especially enjoyed the presentations by Richard Hard, Mindy Hawkins and David Lankford and the panel discussion between state Reps. Mary Kasten, Pat Secrest and Joe Heckemeyer. I also enjoyed the election simulation, and I am glad to say that my group's representative was re-elected.

I would like to encourage you to continue sponsoring this program so that future students may have the same opportunities that I have had. The Freedom Forum benefited me by introducing me to new friends and ideas.

In closing, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to attend Missouri Freedom Forum, and I hope to live up to the things I learned at the Freedom Forum.

TODD ANTHONY

Sikeston