Letter: first ammendment rights

In response to Ms. Funk's letter to the editor. Ms. Funk stated "Since when did students have the right to ask their principal for a modification of a standing rule..." I believe they were given this right under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Even thought many of these young people aren't old enough to vote, they still do have the right to free speech.

I would also have to disagree with her classification of the young people as "Rebellious Students". I wonder if Ms. Funk knows any of these students personally, I do. These students are bright, most have a 4.0 grade-point average and many are youth leaders at their churches. These young people have been brought up in a democratic society and are using democracy to try and convey their points and opinions. The issue was initially presented to Mr. Adair and when he was unable to amend the rule, it was Mr. Adair who informed the students their next step was to go before the School Board. The students were thus exhausting all administrative procedures and did not "go over Mr. Adair's head."

The tenacity these students have in fighting for what they believe in should be commended, not critized or dismissed as just a "handful of rebellious students." If that was the case then Susan B. Anthony would have been a "Rebellious Lady" for fighting for women's rights, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been "Rebellious people" for fighting for desegregation. etc.

These students have a right to fight for what they believe in. The students of Carson High have earned the right to attend the dance with whoever they please. They work hard and yes, they (or their parents) are the ones who have to bear the financial responsibililty to attend. If a parent approves of the date, who

are we to question their choice? We raise our children to make the best choices and decisions. With this rule, we are essentionally taking away their freedom of choice and in the same breath telling them we don't trust them.

No matter whether the rule is changed or not, the students have the right to be heard by the School Board.

DAVE DAWLEY

Dayton