Sections

8th-grade students wait in line for education

Never before have I seen such neglect on the part of a reporter and a newspaper to investigate and research past the end of their noses into a story. I am referring to the story about Ms. Metz waiting in line for her daughter, Liza, to be accepted into Community High ("Local residents reach the end of the Line," 4/2/96).

I am so glad so many University students are able to help Metz and Liza.

However, had Will Weissert or the editor been interested, there is a much larger and more deserving story to be told here.

There was a photographer at the Ballis Building to take a picture, and yet the reporter did not notice a startling fact at the Ballis Building line. Many of the people in line for Community High School are not parents, adults or kindhearted volunteers; they are 8th-grade students.

Yes, you righteous, charitable University volunteers; 8th-grade students taking control of their own education for their own benefit. These students have missed school for at least two weeks; they have kept up with their classwork, they have slept in vans, tents and cars (left by their parents) in temperatures as low as five degrees.

These students have the determination and perseverance to remain in line because they understand it is their responsibility to be in line if Community is the high school they feel will best accommodate their needs. Thank God their parents are willing to see this as an opportunity for students to show an interest in their own education and allow them the opportunity to become mature young adults.

After all, how many University volunteer students will be needed to hold Liza's hand when she applies to colleges in four years, possibly to be placed on a waiting list?

AMY L. HORNBURG

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION