Letter to the Editor

Thanks for scholarship assistance

Dear editor,

Bryan school would like to say a big thank you to the following individuals and organizations who added to the Bryan Lucille Smith Penny Scholarship fund this year. They are Eugene Smith, Gerald Bogart, Oran Burris, Jerry Brendlinger, Jo and Larry Testman, Julie Wilson, the Nevada Men's Eagles and Wednesday Bingo, The Nevada Auxiliary Eagles and Sunday Bingo, the Nevada V.F.W Post 2175, the Nevada V.F.W. Auxiliary Post 2175, Nevada American Legion Post 2, Nevada Elks Lodge 564, Nevada Am Vets Post 131, Orscheln Farm-Home Supply, Road House, Johnson Grain Co., Cash N' Dash No. 1, Cash N'Dash No. 2, Cash n'Dash No. 3, Sutherlands, Tim's Convenience Store, 54 Café, Tobacco Shack and Team Bank. It was through the efforts of these donors that an additional $3,743 will be divided between the kindergarten and first grade scholarship funds. In addition, a special thanks goes to Metz Bank for the use of their coin counting machine during our scholarship drive. When the current students of Bryan become seniors at NHS, they will be able to apply for the scholarships which will be awarded through the Nevada R-5 Scholarship Foundation.

Sincerely,

Bryan faculty and students

Eighth grade CHOICES program a valuable service

Dear editor:

On behalf of the Nevada Middle School staff and the eighth grade students, we would like to express our gratitude to the Nevada Chamber of Commerce members that were involved in the CHOICES program on Feb. 8 and 9 The CHOICES program was a two-day seminar to help the students focus on the choices that they make regarding their future and how it will impact their lives. This program presented not only positive and defining information, but the presenters were so enthusiastic and full, of personal experiences. Many of our students related with the community leaders and their personal stories.

A survey was presented at the end of the session to all of our eighth grade students. The students filled out a survey and returned it to the presenters at the end of the class.

One student personally commended at the bottom, "I had intentions of quitting school, but after hearing the CHOICES presenters I am thinking about my future goals." This is a great example o. how community involvement impacts student's lives.

A special thank you to Dr. Jeremy Fast, Kim Cook, Jason Claspill, Monica Compton, Dr. Jason Meisenheimer, Tera Elliott and Kathi Wysong for taking time out of their busy schedules to provide a positive insight to our future leaders!

Also, a special thanks to Mrs. Gast and Mrs. Guthrie for preparing the students for the CHOICES program.

Abby Fletchall

NMS Counselor

Your tax dollars for private schools

Dear editor:

Many newspapers covered the announcement of 14 former Curators of the University of Missouri who unanimously oppose Senate Bill 389. While the newspapers did give good coverage to the fact that some of the provisions of the Bill may be unconstitutional or unenforceable, they failed to address four or five other provisions of the bill that should make it unacceptable or questionable to all Missourians.

One of the areas of concern is the start of a new student aid program.

In Section 173.1103.3 "There is created in the State Treasury the 'Access Missouri Financial Assistance Fund.'…' Section 173.1105.1 provides that, beginning with the 2007 - 2008 academic year, a student "who meets the other eligibility criteria" shall be entitled to a State grant which does not have to be repaid.

The language of the Bill regarding the minimum and maximum award amounts to students is as follows:

One thousand dollars maximum and $300 minimum for students attending institutions classified as part of the public two-year sector; $2,150 maximum and $1,000 minimum for students attending institutions classified as part of the public four-year sector; and $4,600 maximum and $2,000 minimum for students attending approved private institutions.

You have read this correctly. Your State Legislators and Governor Matt Blunt want to give, not loan, students money to attend private colleges.

While all of us value the role of private schools, this is a use of tax dollars to benefit private institutions at the expense of properly funding the public colleges and universities of our state.

As you can see from the Bill, a student attending a private college will get $4,600 per semester while a student attending Missouri State, University of Missouri, Southeast Missouri State, and all other 4-year public institutions only receives $2,150.

It makes no sense for our Governor and legislature to start giving private colleges and universities your tax dollars to fund those institutions when legislature has seen fit to fund our public universities at a rank of 47th in the nation.

What is wrong with low interest student loans which require the student to pay back the benefit of his or her education?

If you are concerned at the prospect of using your state tax dollars to fund private colleges call and e-mail the legislators in the Missouri legislature. Your opinions really do matter to your elected representatives.

John P. Lichtenegger