Rachel’s Challenge an amazing event
Dear Editor,
Last week, thousands of students in Morgan Hill’s middle schools and high schools participated in an innovative program called Rachel’s Challenge that promotes character-building in young people. The program was named after Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting massacre. From Scott’s tragic death emerged the program that teaches young people, through multimedia presentations and classroom workshops, the values of compassion and kindness toward all people. Rachel’s Challenge makes schools both physically and emotionally safe environments for students.
Dedicated community leaders John and Ann Horner worked hard over the last year to bring the successful Rachel’s Challenge to Morgan Hill’s schools. They spear-headed a team of students, parents, teachers, school district administrators, city council members, Chamber of Commerce members, businesses, non-profit groups and local residents to bring the $18,000 program to our community. All these people and organizations working together for a common goal provide us with an example of how the greater Morgan Hill community can partner with our schools to empower young people to be good citizens who care about each other.
The Horners and the rest of Morgan Hill’s Rachel’s Challenge team are now starting the “phase two” component of the project. This phase will bring the compassion-focused program to all public elementary schools in Morgan Hill. Let’s work together to support this worthwhile endeavor aimed at helping students blossom and grow as excellent human beings. Every person who wishes to help the Rachel’s Challenge team members on the next phase of the project can contact them at www.facebook.com/BringRachelsChallengeToMorganHill.
Marty Cheek, Morgan Hill
Amazing outpouring of support for Sobrato teacher
Dear Editor,
I always knew that Morgan Hill is a special place, but I had no idea just how special it is! Sure, it has great festivals and fantastic concerts (all made possible by the tireless efforts of volunteers) and wonderful recreational facilities, but it also has lots of heart. The outpouring of love and support that I have received from this community since my cancer diagnosis has been overwhelming. My own heart is overflowing with appreciation.
Best of all was what the amazing Sobrato students did for me last week. These kids, who have so gallantly weathered the loss of four of their peers in the last year, extended themselves beyond belief to reach out to me. When I walked onto campus Wednesday to see a sea of pink clothing, I was already extremely touched. Little did I know what else they had been planning for me since learning that I would have to take a leave….
These remarkable students covered the campus with signs of encouragement and love and organized a lunchtime celebration that was unimaginable. Crowning me with a pink tiara, they made me feel like “Queen for a Day.” Having contacted the 49ers, Raiders, and Giants, they presented me with a care box from each. Taking incredible initiative, they secured personalized signed letters and pictures from Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer and faxed the president daily trying to get him to respond (I guess he was too busy campaigning!). Using their social networking skills, they put in a plea to Ellen Degeneres on Facebook and Youtube to call me.
These extraordinary teens also gave me gorgeous flowers and filled a basket full of letters and cards from Sobrato students, alumni, and staff (their goal was to provide me with enough reading material till I can return to school!). They wrote hundreds of encouraging messages on a huge, beautifully decorated poster, and they even created a DVD of heartfelt messages from my present and past students (many of whom recorded messages from college) that I can watch to lift my spirits. They raised money in order to give me a gift certificate for massages. The band played and sang a special song to me. The students didn’t miss a beat (literally or figuratively)!!
It is indeed heartening to think that high school students would be so thoughtful and creative in showing their appreciation for a teacher. Witnessing their enthusiasm and resourcefulness renewed my faith in the next generation! I hope it also renewed other teachers’ faith that they are performing the most worthy service in the world, as these students have demonstrated that the impact of their teachers is valued beyond measure.
All of the well-wishes, gifts, and prayers that have generously emanated from the Sobrato administration, staff, parents and students, as well as the rest of the district and community at large, mean so much to me and will give me the strength I need to face my challenge. I am ever more motivated to fight this disease, so I can return to the classroom and my Sobrato “home.”
These young men and women truly lived up to “Rachel’s Challenge” (to spread kindness) that they learned about during an inspiring assembly last Tuesday. Our community has many reasons to be extremely proud of its young people. It is obvious that they have been raised in an environment of giving and service. I am so grateful that I moved to Morgan Hill and taught in the Morgan Hill School District – I couldn’t ask for a better place to live and work! Many thanks to all for everything!!
Brooke Bailey, English teacher, Ann Sobrato High School
WERC says thank you for Taste of Morgan Hill
Dear Editor,
The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC) has participated in the Taste of Morgan Hill for 23 years. Many thanks to the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce and all the volunteers who helped make this event such a success.
Sue Howell, Morgan Hill
Hoping whoever is president lives up to his promises
Dear Editor,
I continue to ask for thinking, reflection, and a look at history when voters make a choice for President this year. Each time we get to vote for someone we are hiring someone to represent us as a public servant. For me people that represent me should believe in free markets, a judicial system that operates on rule of law, a constitution that outlines rule of law, a press that zealously protects freedom of speech and liberty for individuals codified in the ten amendments.
I also ask that voters do not treat politics like their treat ball teams. I am a republican and have been a republican for many since I first registered. However, I am also a conservative and have listed the principles that I expect politicians to deliver. In the last election I did not vote for John McCain and certainly not Barack Obama. I was just finally fed up with politics, politicians, parties, and the federal government. I told someone it was like you had to pick your poison. I honor and respect John McCain’s service and bravery. However, he is a big government, government knows all politician. I did not see that as a choice. I am sure there were many that felt the same and in some part that did not help John McCain.
We as voters are like employers that have to judge the job someone has done and choose someone to do the job. Obama’s record is clear. He is not competent, a leader, or has he fulfilled his promises. The Affordable Care Act has not lowered health care cost and when implemented it will cost even more. He has added crushing debt that all Americans will be burdened with for generations. He has created a larger more intrusive government. His foreign policy is clearly a disaster. All of this confirms what I knew he would be as president and I believe a second term will be even worse.
Romney has committed to the principles that I as a voter want. The record of the last four years should be enough for a change. If that change occurs and Romney is elected then he needs to be held accountable. If he really believes in the principles that he has committed to then he has a lot of work to do. Some of the work that he will have to do will not be popular with his own party. I will be paying attention and will demand that he live up to his promises. If he does not I will not continue to support him and vote for someone else.
Mike Brusa, Gilroy
