Letters to the Editor from Shelby County R-lV Students

Dear Editor,

My name is Colby Harre. I will be 18 years old by August 7th and I will be a voting member of our community. Like all voters, my opinion matters. My vote will count.

First & foremost, I want you to know that education excels at South Shelby. I believe that since I began pre-school in this district, my knowledge in every grade I was in, every class I took, was accelerated. Not only is this due to excellent teaching and high standards set by our board of education, administration and teachers, but by the “desire to learn” that I now possess. This desire didn’t just happen by chance. It happened because of the “true trust” I have in my teachers. It’s about “relationships” that have developed over time. Relationships that I have come to know and love. Honestly I am scared. I have strived for the last three years to be the best I can be in the classroom and outside the classroom. My dreams of becoming an FFA officer as well as a drum major for our high school band have finally come true. If redistricting occurs, I will be crushed. All my hard work, perseverance and determination will be shattered along with that dream. My class rank will be null and void, resulting in possible loss of scholarships that I really need for my college education. I do not want to compete against the South Shelby Cardinals; I want to compete FOR them. I do not want to lose my relationship with the faculty and staff. I don’t want to be known as something other than a South Shelby Cardinal! Please help me and all my Clarence friends to remain South Shelby Cardinals forever. Please Vote NO on Prop 1 on August 7th.

Sincerely,

Colby Harre

Hopeful graduate of South Shelby High

Class of 2019

Dear Editor,

I am writing on the behalf of myself and many of my fellow classmates on the subject of possible redistricting. I am a sophomore at South Shelby High School, and I love it here. This place is my second home. At South Shelby, the students do not see one another as a “Clarence person” or a “Shelbina person.” When we look at each other we see fellow South Shelby Cardinals. I just wish some adults could do the same. South Shelby is home to many phenomenal educators and faculty. I know I can go to any of the staff at South Shelby for anything I need. Many have said the children should not be involved in this matter, but I strongly disagree. The children are the ones who will be sitting in a new classroom 5 days a week, 7 hours a day for the entire school year.

Extra-curricular activities will be negatively affected. The music program is starting to be rebuilt. The high school band doubled its size in the 2017-2018 school year, and it will double its size again this year. We will be having a 2 week long band camp this summer where we will work on our marching show. All of our hard work and dedication will be for nothing if redistricting occurs. SSHS Cheerleading will also be affected. All of the fundraising, and 7 hours of cheer camp a day will go to waste. FFA and FCCLA officers that have already been elected for this year will lose their office. Many other activities will be affected, but I can personally vouch for Cheerleading, FFA, FCCLA, and Band.

Many of my friends from Clarence are not able to enjoy their summer, which is supposed to be a time for relaxation. They are worried they will be taken away from their friends and their home.

We are getting an excellent education, and we feel loved at South Shelby. I do not care about the school building itself, but the people inside the building. They are my family. Being out for revenge or money are the only reasons for redistricting. These are not good enough reasons to alter the course of many children’s lives. You should not put a price tag on a child. We will not rest until our Cardinal families’ places in this school are secured. My classmates and I will continue to fight for the red, white & blue. Cardinal Pride!

Respectfully Submitted,

Jarah Wilt