LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: USING `COMPASSION' AS EXCUSE DEMEANS MEANING OF THE WORD

Dear Editor,

Cape Central is my alma mater. To walk across the stage at graduation, to receive the admiration of your parents and fellow classmates, the handshake and reception of your diploma cover from the president of the board of education, and the applause from your teachers and friends is much more than symbolic, it is the affirmation of each student's dedication in achieving a goal.

The word compassion was directly mentioned at graduation, by the superintendent as well as other speakers. This was an insult to those who know the true meaning of the word. As a parent, and a former teacher, I feel compassion toward all students who, through no fault of their own, try but fail to achieve a level of success. I have no compassion for those who simply do not try to achieve, especially when offered additional opportunities. It seems clear that this was the case at Cape Central.

Now is the time for everyone to speak out against those who fail to encourage excellence in education. Express your outrage at those who sacrifice their principles and refuse to admit responsibility. It is important to voice an opinion.

A famous saying goes, there is no shame in trying, and failing, but only in failing to try. In the end, the final failure here rests perhaps not with those students who failed to try, but with those parents, administrators and board members who allowed them to succeed in failing to try.

TIM ALTENTHAL

Cape Central Class of '74

Kirkwood