Unfettered Letters

Bravo to drill team

Thank you for the inspiring story of the Blenheim Elementary School drill team on the front page of The Star (2/26, A-1, “Days of thunder drum up new hope; Blenheim Elementary is bursting with pride over a drill team built from scratch”).

It is so encouraging to hear stories about people having the dream to help kids and the heart to get it done. I, too, believe they are changing lives, and I applaud them. Bravo!

Rosalind Jorn
Plattsburg, Mo.

Questioning authority

With regard to a word error on a state test discovered by a Kansas high school student (2/16, A-2), I have to wonder how many students noticed the error and chose not to speak up because we’ve been so brainwashed not to question authority.

I had a propensity for not adhering to that philosophy when I was an elementary and high school student in the 1950s and ’60s, and because of that I was unpopular among teachers. They don’t like to be wrong.

But wrong is wrong, and not questioning authority — or failing to speak up when we’ve been wronged personally — has gotten our nation in a lot of trouble, both domestically and internationally.

I applaud Geoffrey Stanford for both his superb knowledge and courage to speak up.

Charles Ballew
Kansas City

Cheers for this cheerleader

It was hard to fight back the tears when reading the front page story on Kaylee Young, living her dream of being a high school cheerleader, even though she has Down syndrome (11/1, A-1, “Spirit and enthusiasm like this can’t be confined to the stands”).

The emotions were drawn from several levels of happiness, joy and faith in mankind when reading the article and hearing how this came to be. I would think each person who read this article felt the same — happiness for Kaylee to realize this dream, joy for her family to be able to witness this happiness, and faith in mankind for the willingness and effort by many to make this happen for Kaylee.

I have great respect for the Raymore-Peculiar High School personnel who allowed this, the cheerleaders who welcome her, and those who had early hesitation but have come to “cheer” on this loving act.

Hooray for everyone involved, and especially for Kaylee!

Marjorie Livingston
Overland Park

Donald Bradley’s article on the Young family of Raymore was one of the finest stories we’ve seen in a long time. In addition, this article was placed right where it belonged, on the front page.

The story reminds all families of children with special needs that there is hope. Children with special needs are often ridiculed and never given the opportunity to “fit in.”

The Youngs took a bold step and are admired by many for doing so. The school district also took a leap of faith and has shown the entire community how important it is to see a person’s abilities, not just disabilities.

As parents of a child with special needs, we hope that the Raymore-Peculiar School District’s position regarding Kaylee is someday the norm, not the exception.

Way to go, Kaylee, and kudos, Ray-Pec!

Bradd and Melissa Sutton
Raymore

I am writing to tell The Star what a great job they did by putting the article about Kaylee Young on the front page.

It is important for people to see that people with disabilities can still do things that we all do, and that they want to do the same things that we do. I think that it is wonderful that the Raymore-Peculiar School District is giving Kaylee this opportunity.

Keep up the good work, Ray-Pec School District and The Star.

Melanie Zeigler
Raymore

Protect students from bullies

Recently my cousin got in trouble for saying something inappropriate to some of his classmates, who were teasing him. Although I realize he shouldn’t have said what he said, I want to know why he was the only one who got punished, when he was just trying to defend himself.

Shouldn’t the bullies have been reprimanded? Where was the teacher when all of this teasing was going on, and why didn’t he or she do anything about it? Isn’t it the job of the teacher to maintain order and discipline in the classroom?

Schools need to create better discipline programs so that students are safe, because a child should not have to feel threatened while attending school.

Julia Morrow
Grain Valley

Rewards of hosting students

Fortunately, we have hosted seven exchange students through EF Foundation for Foreign Study (5/25, Letters, “Host an exchange student”). After raising our own four children, people said we were crazy to take on more. But when we did, great things happened.

We were hooked by the end of our initial one-year commitment. We loved the cultural exchange. But mostly we loved the part about becoming family. Our children feel that they have seven foreign “siblings.”

In addition, we have traveled overseas to meet their families, and we have been received like royalty. It’s like we landed this huge unexpected bonus because we took on their child for one school year.

Hosting an exchange student can seem daunting, but the rewards are forever memories. Another bonus: Two of our students are now great friends and attend the same university in Italy. We are proud, knowing that we helped that happen.

I hope to inspire readers to feel called to consider hosting a student. There are many who could provide a loving family environment.

We urge everyone who can to give it a try, if just for one year.

Jerry and Rita Svejda
Kansas City

Students show respect

On May 22, I led a tour at Truman Library of eighth-graders from Lincoln College Prep Academy middle school of Kansas City. They were excellent listeners.

I was telling them about how 500,000 Purple Hearts were ordered to prepare for the invasion of Japan and how Purple Hearts awarded now are being used from that order. A tall, white-haired gentleman heard me and added, “I was on the island of Okinawa preparing with my Army unit for that invasion, and President Truman saved my hide!”

The class spontaneously applauded. How respectful.

Barbara Schmitt
Liberty

Host an exchange student

I would like to personally thank all the wonderful families who have hosted exchange students this school year through EF Foundation for Foreign Study or any of several other fine organizations.

This year ends, but as the students leave they will not forget host families who have graciously opened their hearts and homes. Students have explored our world and will leave with new perspectives and broadened horizons, keeping a special bond with their “families,” classmates and friends in the U.S.

Thank you also to administrators, teachers and staffs of local high schools who welcomed foreign students into their classrooms and activities, helping them hone English skills and offering encouragement and support.

As we say “farewell” to these students, we search for homes for students arriving in August.

Host families are the heart and soul of such programs. Please consider opening your home to one of these outstanding young people.

Tena McTaggart
Regional coordinator, EF Foundation for Foreign Study, northeast Kansas region
Lenexa

Spelling bee stars

It is with great pleasure and pride that I read about our city’s top spellers who went to Washington, D.C., to compete for the champion title (6/1, A-1, “‘C’ words trip up A-list spellers”). In my mind, both of our area representatives are indeed champions.
In particular, I cheer for Connor Spencer, whom I have known his entire academic career, from pre-kindergarten to the current year.
Up until last year, I was his assistant principal. I have the honor to know his family, and I know that Connor is not only a champion speller, but he is also a genuine and very good example to other people his age. He is a true young gentleman, through and through.
I am so proud that he represented Kansas City, but also that he represented St. Vincent de Paul Academy, where I spent many years as an educator. It is a small, Catholic academy with a powerful ability to form truly good Catholics and achievers. Congratulations, Connor!
Heather Nicole Hamtil
Leawood

Spelling bee kudos

Congratulations to the two young Kansas City area National Spelling Bee finalists, Kavya Shivashankar (Olathe) and Connor Spencer (Farley, Mo.) (6/1, A-1, “‘C’ words trip up A-list spellers; KC area’s two finalists fall on “cilice” and “cachalot” at the National Spelling Bee”). Thanks to both of them for representing our city. They and their families should be extremely proud of their accomplishments.

And kudos to ABC for broadcasting the Scripps Spelling Bee finals during prime time on Thursday evening. It’s not often enough that academic competitions are spotlighted on television.

At this age, kids often get the message that being athletic is the only way to be great, when in reality, academic achievement is what builds the strongest basis for a successful life. Thanks to ABC for promoting that message by broadcasting the event.

Colleen Hunter
Olathe