Who Not To Turn Into

To the Editor:

On June 22 I attended the graduation of my nephew from Newtown High School. The ceremonies were held in the O’Neill Center at WCSU, where there are apparently no sound technicians. My sister and I compared notes after the ceremonies and from her seat in the bleacher section, she was unable to hear anything that was said by any of the speakers.

I was sorry she was unable to hear the condescending and barbed remarks of one particular teacher, Mr Edwards. I was particularly appalled at his comment about “who not to turn into — the 50ish woman on the treadmill, singing and pumping her arms in the air.” What, exactly, was his point? Perhaps someone should have rebutted him by saying, “Don’t lose your enthusiasm for life at any age. Yes, be the 50ish woman on that treadmill, singing away. Don’t turn into the 40ish, narrow-minded, condescending jaded man Mr Edwards seems to be.”

As a 50ish woman, I was insulted, appalled, and incredulous. Newtown High School should take a good, long look at the message their teachers are sending. This message, in particular, is laughable at best and offensive at worst.

Betty Ross

85 North Middletown Road, Nanuet, N.Y.                     July 6, 2011