LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT A PLACE FOR POLITICS

Dear Editor,

As a member of the class of 1996 at Cape Central High School, I would like to address the two issues that have recently surfaced.

First, on the subject of those who have not earned the right to graduate being allowed to participate in the commencement exercises, I would like to say that I am very proud of all the graduating seniors, and it angers me to see their efforts belittled by allowing those who have not earned their place to walk with those who have.

High school is not a playground for politics. It is a place to teach responsibility and work ethic. A place to show that there are consequences for one's actions, and those consequences can not be avoided by having powerful connections pull strings.

Secondly, as a student who has two years left at Cape Central, the proposal of closed campus lunch greatly concerns me. The cafeteria at Central can not possibly comfortably hold all of the students in each lunch, and the money for the construction of a new one could better be spent on the purchasing of new learning materials, such as up-to-date textbooks and more computers (to add to the one we have available for any students use). After all, parents send their children to school to learn, so why not provide us with the best equipment possible?

The problem of parking was also addressed in the closed campus proposal. A parking plan was devised this year, but never acted upon. A plan of this nature could solve many of the problems with accidents -- without closing campus -- if it would only be considered as an alternative .

I have two more years at Cape Central and I would like to make them as worthwhile as possible. I want to be assured that the hard work I do and the time I put in over the next two years is going to be recognized for what I have achieved and what I have earned, not what was handed to me.

Please don't allow your readers to write us all off for the mistakes of a few. We are good people, with good ideas and strong convictions. Give us a chance to make a difference.

ANGIE FORNKOHL

Class of 1996

Cape Girardeau