Pushing Limits Vs

Recklessness

To the Editor:

I was both impressed and surprised by a letter to The Bee last week from Sean Ryan, a Newtown High School senior who was not directly involved in “Prom-gate” but was obviously affected by it.

Sean typifies the mentality of youth: cavalier, unafraid, put me in coach, no limits. I applaud this line of thinking; I wouldn’t want him any other way. Yet I submit to him, and to anyone who feels that Newtown as a whole is too uptight regarding underage drinking: your attitude would change dramatically if the Class of 2007 was one member short because of a fatality that night. Or if someone couldn’t pack up and head off to the college of their dreams because they were stuck in rehab, the victim of a traumatic brain injury.

I am eternally grateful that each and every senior is still healthy and well and able to fight me on this issue, if they choose to do so.

To the Class of 2007...fly. Accomplish. We didn’t invite you to the planet to color within the lines or think inside the box. Just understand you can push limits without being reckless; think about it, that’s all.

 And to Sean, you can’t resign from Newtown High School. As of June 20, you are very honorably discharged, headed for “the Hill” where I have no doubt, you will continue to impress and surprise.

Mary Ann Ryan

15 Diamond Drive, Newtown                                           May 21, 2007