For the last eight years I

have planned a trip to City Hall for our team of students to participate

in a mock city council meeting. The candy throwing topic was chosen because

it was a subject currently being considered by the council and one to

which eighth grade students could relate.

At our mock council meeting

on the afternoon of May 9, the majority of students were in favor of continuing

the candy throwing. They pointed out that this is a PTC tradition, businesses

count on it for advertisement, and it's a way for politicians to campaign.

However, some students spoke

against continuing the candy throwing, saying that July 4th had much more

meaning than getting candy.

I was proud of all the students

who spoke and gave valid arguments for their position. At the actual meeting

on Thursday evening, May 16, 17 of my students choose to attend and several

spoke before the council on both sides of the issue. These students learned

an invaluable lesson regarding citizen participation in local government.

Ms. Morrison has taken one

comment and applied it to all Booth students. I would like for Ms. Morrison

to know that Booth students have shown their patriotism and compassion

for others over and over this year.

On Sept. 12, students initiated

and participated in a memorial service in front of Booth in memory of

the Sept. 11 victims. A committee of students raised $2,500 in the Pennies

for the Pentagon and Nickels for New York campaign, earning the Prudential

Company "Spirit of Community" award. [Also,] $2,400 and 500

pairs of socks were contributed at Christmas for needy students in our

school and Fayette County.

Students tied over two miles

of strips of red, white, and blue fabric to represent two feet for each

victim of Sept. 11. Booth students have written letters to our servicemen,

contributed to canned food drives for the poor, toiletry drives for battered

women, and have conducted a massive recycling program throughout the year.

Yes, Ms. Morrison, I can "say

it isn't so," because I teach these Booth students. Everyday I see

students whose actions show that they have character traits such as respect,

caring for others, responsibility and integrity. I personally know that

the overwhelming majo rity of them love their country more than

candy, and they have shown it this year in ways that really count instead

of signing a petition.

Beth Loftin

[email protected]