MAILBAG - Oct. 26, 1999
While it is early yet in the school year, I pause for a moment to
reflect on my incredible journey to sixth grade.
The road has not always been smooth sailing, and occasionally I have
stumbled on a few road blocks. However, it has been memorable for me. I
am thankful to all of the incredible teachers I have ever had and know
that I would not be half the person I am today without their support and
guidance.
I have come to know and appreciate the awesome staff at Kaiser Primary
and Kaiser Elementary schools, in particular the last two years of my
schooling.
And now I am certain this one, as well, will stand out the most. I have
been so fortunate to be a student involved in the on-site Gifted and
Talented Education program at Kaiser Elementary. This program started
three years ago and is now really catching on. My teachers are trained in
this area of educating gifted children and make learning fun and
exciting. I love the opportunity I have to switch to different
classrooms, different teachers, and working at an accelerated pace in
math.
Most of all, I really dig the challenge set before me to be the absolute
best I can be and then always take it a step further. One of the
interesting aspects of the on-site program is still being in a class with
other students that are not in the gifted program. I still get to be with
all my friends where everyone is made to feel special.
I know that Kaiser is the stepping stone to my future in learning, and
from here, I can take a giant leap ahead, knowing that I have been
well-prepared for the road ahead.
HARRISON M. BROWN
Sixth-grader, Kaiser Elementary School
Costa Mesa
Article on Bill Sumner was appreciated
I would like to thank you for Jessica Garrison’s article (“CDM coach
keeps runners on the right track,” Oct. 9). I ran for Coach all four
years of high school, starting off as one of those who barely made it
across the finish line and ending as a solid, consistent runner. I went
off to the Air Force Academy after I graduated in 1998 and found some of
my fondest high school memories were of afternoons running with the team,
long Saturdays spent waiting for my race and cheering on others who were
racing, the team dinners that brought us all together and the three jokes
he knows and tells over and over.
The only statement I disagree with in the article is one of his own
quotes, “I’ve got 136 kids, five days a week.” This makes it sound like a
standard 9-to-5 job and is a gross understatement of the amount of time
and effort he puts into his team.
Not only does he make a point of knowing everyone’s name, but he knows
how we are doing in school and how our lives are going. He gathers us all
together and gives us lectures on the dangers of drunk driving and the
importance of making good decisions just as easily as he corrects us on
our running form.
He spends evenings and weekends working with us and for us. Here at the
Academy, we celebrate heroes such as Gen. Patton and Capt. Sijan for the
dedication they showed to their men and their country. I hold Coach just
as high on my hero list as someone who cares for, inspires, and is
dedicated to his people.
He has been instrumental in my life, teaching me how to make a goal and
work until I achieved it. It is about time someone recognizes this
amazing man and the things he is doing in our community.
I know that no matter where I go or how long I am gone, I will always be
a part of the Corona del Mar cross-country team, and Bill Sumner will
always be my coach.
MELANIE S. BARNES
Cellar Ratz, United States Air Force Academy
Trash pickup is everyone’s duty
I am calling to applaud the article that appeared in the newspaper this
morning written by Amy Litton (“In the Trenches in the War against Beach
Litter,” Sept. 28). I certainly concur that while it was a wonderful
effort that was undertaken a couple of weeks ago, the need is to have an
ongoing awareness by not only our constituents, but our visitors as well.
The Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau joined with other
bureaus around Orange County, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Buena Park and
Laguna Beach, to actually co-sponsor that beach cleanup day. We not only
wrote a check but amassed hundreds of volunteers to come out and pick up
debris that had collected for a measurable amount of time.
But this is not a once-a-year effort. We as residents need to be diligent
about policing the cleanliness of not only our Back Bay but our shoreline
as well. And visitors have that responsibility, too. Of course, the issue
is that we want the visitors to return. And the more pristine our
waterways are, the more likely that is to happen. Actually visiting
beaches is one of the main reasons why people travel for holidays. My hat
is off to Amy, and I hope others have the same feeling that she does. As
citizens, I hope that we can do a better job of keeping our natural
resources pristine.
ROSALIND WILLIAMS
President and CEO
Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau
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