Where There’s A Will,

There’s A Way

To the Editor:

I was really shocked and ashamed to read about how the NHS students and adults are protesting the new activity fees.

Today, everyone is being required to do more with less and is being asked to sacrifice. We cannot shield our children from the reality of today’s world. I think most people would much rather sponsor a teen for an after-school activity in exchange for a service –– yard cleaning, babysitting, painting, etc, rather than just paying the dollars out in tax fees.

I recently had a great-aunt (a 92-year-old Sister of Notre Dame) pass on and have had time to reflect on the hard times she experienced in her life and how she became stronger for them. She was a true coal miner’s daughter who did not have enough money to purchase the habit she needed to enter the sisterhood. Here she was going to pledge her life for community service and had to “work off the fee” by sewing and cleaning for the community before she could be accepted. At this time, at least there are still some activities that have no fee if they provide a direct service to the community.

It is true that there are kids with real talent that cannot afford the fees. We should look at this as an opportunity to show by example how we can help each other.

Where there is a will, there is a way!

Newtown has a strong community of good kids; let’s help them by setting a good example by working together. Let’s pray and hope for better times in the future when once again, all activities will be free to all.

Thanks for listening!

Joan Thomas

89 Great Ring Road, Sandy Hook                            October 21, 2003