There’s Hope

For The Future

To the Editor:

Wow. I’m just so impressed. The letters to the editor section [in the 9/23/05 edition of The Bee] was filled with the usual ranting and raving and he-said-she-said letters, but amidst the entertainment I personally recognized three high school contributors, although there were more.

Newtown, did you see? Did you read? Did you notice the quality of their character? Maggie Hemingway promoting a swim-a-thon for Katrina relief. What readers might not know, she also coached summer swim team every day at the crack of dawn, setting an example of patience and perseverance that inspired so many junior swimmers. Courtney Compagnoni running a food/clothing drive, who also taught my son last year in NHS’s terrific Nurtury preschool program, holding his hand and teaching and nurturing him into an eager, ready-to-learn kindergartner. Joey DeVellis, who while being both a scholar and an athlete, never ever finds himself too busy to stop whatever he’s doing to say hello to little star-struck kids who nervously point and whisper “there’s Joey.”

These are kids who look you in the eye with impeccable manners. They are great students: smart, energetic, kind, and most importantly, citizens aware there’s a world outside Newtown. And it’s a place that needs them desperately. If this is a glimpse of the future generation to guide our country, I finally have hope. Thank you Maggie, Courtney, and Joey, and the many, many kids just like you that quietly make Newtown, and the world, a better place. And thank you to their parents and teachers. You make us all proud.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Mayer

5 Hyvue Drive, Newtown                                       September 28, 2005