Tremont school patrons want to be heard

Dear editor,

Although graduation is something we’ve looked forward to for the past 13 years, in light of recent events, our feelings have drastically changed. Our concerns are not only for ourselves, but for our entire Tremont family because that’s what we are - a family, and that’s what we’re about. Tremont is about traditions, and many of us can trace our families as far back as four generations of Tremont students.

Our years at Tremont have been filled with laughter and tears, but the good times have always greatly outnumbered the bad. We want our fellow students, friends and families to experience the same joy we did. One thing we all looked forward to was coming back to our roots a few years down the road because no matter where we go or what we do, we’ll never forget where we came from. But with the closing of Tremont school, that would be impossible. Our school may not mean anything to anyone outside our little town, but to us, it is everything. It is the center of our community and shutting it down would be the ruin of our town. The entire economy of Tremont depends upon our school. Without it, small businesses will collapse.

We also fear for our fellow students. Will they be able to adapt to being in a larger school with more students and less one-on-one time with teachers? We believe that our county school system works best because of its diversity. Parents may choose to send their child to a smaller or larger school, based on what’s best for them. Without that choice, no one wins.

We completely understand the shape the economy is in and all the budget cuts that have been made. But we feel that closing Tremont school or any part of any school is a quick fix, an easy out that will, in the long run, be far more costly than anyone can imagine right now as not all costs can be quantified with money. There are many other solutions that could and should be considered first. We’re willing to take our share of the cuts but find ourselves wondering why only our school is the center of attention when budget cuts are discussed.

We, like every other class before us, want to leave our mark on our school. But, being the last graduating class of Tremont High School is not a title we wish to obtain. We feel it is our duty to do everything we can to keep our school open for future Eagles because that is how we would rather be remembered. We can’t imagine looking our younger siblings, friends and fellow classmates in the eyes knowing that we sat back and let this happen without a fight.

We do not want to upset anyone; we just want everyone to know our feelings and consider them. We fear for our teachers’ jobs, as many of us have family members and friends who are young teachers and would be terminated. We also fear for our town’s economy because without our school, it will cease to exist. But perhaps the biggest loss of all would be the loss of so much history, tradition and pride. The pride that we all have for our school is something that only a Tremont Eagle can understand. It cannot be described in words. It is instilled in us so deeply that tears begin to fill our eyes as we imagine a future without our school. Again, we do not want to anger anyone or inflame the situation, we just want you, the board members, to know how important our school is and how much taking it away would affect us and everyone in the community of Tremont, or anyone that’s ever been a part of the school, no matter how small the part. We also ask that before the board members make such a big decision that will affect so many people in such a negative way, that they consider every possible angle and every other solution and then ask themselves how they would feel if they were in our shoes.

Sincerely,

The Tremont High School

Class of 2010

Our class motto:

“Our days at Tremont have come to any end,

We have so many memories and many wonderful friends,

We’re there for each other through thick and thin

We’re the unforgettable class of 2010.”

The rights of one shouldn't trample the rights of others

Dear editor,

I would like to thank the educational system of Itawamba County for putting education first, above the fear of a lawsuit and the desire to promote a personal agenda. From what I have read and seen in the media, the prom controversy stemmed from one student who did not agree with the rules and wished to force the school to change them for her. All public, as well as private, businesses and organizations have rules created for the safety and security of the workers and the success of that business. Sometimes these rules are not understood by people not directly involved with the situation. UPS drivers must wear the brown uniform and females cannot choose to wear skirts even if it conflicts with their personal religious wardrobe convictions. The males are not allowed to have facial hair. These rules are for the safety of the employees and customers, and the success of the business. Should our schools not cover all bases to ensure the safety and success of minors who are not yet able to provide that security for themselves?

I am a 1997 graduate of IAHS. My reason for writing this letter is not to make a judgment against Ms. McMillen and her sexual preference. My purpose for this letter is to defend the integrity of my high school and my home county. The national media is once again attempting to misrepresent the people of my county and state. Itawambians are not uneducated, inbred, prejudiced, narrow-minded bigots. My small class graduated a doctor, a lawyer, a veterinarian, a minister, several nurses, teachers, business leaders, and many other productive citizens.

Every visit home to Itawamba County reinforces my admiration for these brave and hard-working people. Many of my friends in Los Angeles County believe the stories they hear that our public schools do not educate and are a joke. They are wrong. While they are laughing at our public schools, they are spending an exorbitant amount of money to send their children to private school, because a lot of Los Angeles public schools are not safe. They may be politically correct, but not safe. Does our president send his children to the public schools in Washington, D.C.? No, they are not safe. The people of Itawamba do not have a private school and do not want one. They want their children to be educated with children of every race and socio-economic condition within the county. They understand the connection between school, work, and real life. So, they continue to labor diligently to keep the schools safe and focused on education and not personal wardrobe preferences. When so many schools now require uniforms, they continue to allow some freedom of expression as long as there is not a distraction to the educational process. Now, there is. I would not blame the school if they stopped supporting any extra-curricular activity (clubs, sports, band, art, field trips, cheerleading, etc). While all these offer monumental opportunities for learning, the liability is just too high. Someone’s First Amendment right could be violated. Those band uniforms certainly resemble guys’ clothing to me. And girls are not really encouraged to join the all-male football team. Hmmmmm.

This battle is not about the rights of gays and lesbians. It is about the right to provide a safe and secure learning environment. I am sure there will be those who will disagree. It is their First Amendment right. But I am becoming more and more determined to ensure that their First Amendment right does not trample all over mine. The difference is that I will have to pay for my own lawyer. Maybe we should form an AAFLU (Americans Against Frivolous Lawsuits Union). Thank you again Itawamba County.

Amanda Grace

Los Angeles, California

Research the facts on circus animals before attending

Dear editor,

Tupelo has many events that are family friendly. The Hot Air Balloon Festival is an exciting new event that is being added to the list of exciting things to do with our families. Many of us have enjoyed events such as the Gum Tree Festival for years. The circus, however, is an event that is only “entertaining” at the expense of the torture and abuse of animals. There are so many more ways to have fun with our families. Cirque du Soleil and Disney on Ice are two great examples of ways to entertain children while being cruelty free. Many investigations have been conducted and many organizations and the USDA have discovered that circus animals are treated inhumanly. Many countries have banned animal circuses. I would like to encourage readers to please research facts about what happens behind the scenes of the circus before attending this event.

Thank you,

Carly Fry

Tupelo

Tremont school in full bloom with growth on the horizon

Dear editor,

I sit writing this letter tonight because I am unable to sleep. Once again, rumors have found their way to my ears that my beloved school might be sitting in the executioner's chair. This latest round of news seems much more dire than before, and I can't help but shed tears as I write.

I cry mostly because, lately, Spring has arrived. The Spring I speak of has nothing to do with the weather outside. I am referring to the beautiful green shoots popping out all over Tremont High School. I am referring to growth, rebirth, and renewal after a long, cold winter. Our kids care again. There is school spirit all in the air. Discipline, responsibility, DREAMS blooming all over the school! I noticed the arrival of this Spring only last year. Currently, it is in full bloom.

Unfortunately, there's a worm doing it's best to eat every leaf off our beautiful green trees. "You aren't worthy!" it says as it chomps a blossom. "What have YOU ever done that's big and important? You're just in the way. You're a waste of time! Why ever should I keep YOU around?"

But I say, "Look around you! Look what we're doing! See how beautiful we're becoming! Please don't destroy us before we show our best! We have so much more to do, to give, to become! Give us a chance! Please don't chop us down in the midst of Spring!"

What does he answer? That part of the story has yet to be told. In the end, the final chapter to the story belongs to you, our elected officials. Will you be so cruel as to chop us down in full bloom? Won't you please consider for a moment how far we've come in such a short time, and give us the opportunity to prove ourselves? We are not a threat to any other school in this district. We won't steal your students away in the dead of night. We simply strive to become a shining star in the crown of Itawamba County. We want the opportunity to show that we ARE worthy. I understand that there are tough decisions to be made, but I can't see how this option is the ONLY one that can possibly save the county. Especially when it has been proven that we are not as costly to you as has been assumed.

Please, PLEASE, think long and hard before you vote to kill our school. Please consider our sweet Junior class, many of which have attended Tremont School for 12 years now, and imagine how heartbroken they would be to find out they must spend their senior year elsewhere. Please consider our athletes, and realize that so many of them will never get the opportunity to continue that endeavor in a large school. Think of that student who came to Tremont because he or she NEEDED that smaller environment to thrive. Then, also, think of people like me, proud graduates of Tremont who have come back to our little school just in time for Spring, working as caretakers of the garden and encouraging the blooms. It's a beautiful place to be.

Thank you for your consideration,

Amy Emerson

Tremont High School