Today's letters: why students should give back & ICGMC thanks Mercer County
David Aderhold Although I share the concern of School Superintendent David Aderhold, I do not believe that reducing the level of intensity in coursework in our elite public schools will cure student detachment, out of control competition, and overwork. Scholar-teachers in their classrooms should set the pace for teaching and learning advanced curricula, individualizing where necessary. But for young people today to become the best and brightest doctors and researchers, leadership skills are needed, along with a dose of compassion. Non-profit agencies, such as Habitat for Humanity, offer busy high school students, many from elite public schools, a hands-on opportunity to "give back" at an early age. As members of Habitat Youth, they learn to swing hammers, secure siding and flooring, and work side by side with adult volunteers in a community effort to provide housing to low income working families. Other Habitat Youth members, some classically trained, give public performances in efforts to raise funds to build more houses. While such on-site experiences may only occur once or twice in a busy high schooler's schedule, it's hoped that such caring activities now will help to round out their academic immersion and give them pause, years later, to make the correct patient diagnosis or to successfully lead a team of pharmaceutical researchers in finding new ways to eliminate diseases.
Doreen Blanc Rockstrom
Princeton
The Christmas Season is a special time of giving, sharing and reaching out to help others during difficult times. Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County (ICGMC) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the merchants of the Mercerville Shopping center for selecting our organization as its recipient of its annual Christmas Drive. Through the generous donations received from store owners, shoppers and organizations, over 80 households with elderly and individuals with disabilities received an abundant basket of fresh fruit, nuts, cookies, candy and a food gift card. In addition, monetary donations for the Angel Fund to support seniors and people with disabilities in crtisis were received.
ICGMC gives special acknowledgement and appreciation to John Strycharz and Tommy Armenti, proprietors of the Reading Center and Fred and Pete's, respectively, for being catalysts in oirganizing a successful drive.
Participating stores included: ACE, Alicja Boutique, Chic Nails, Fred and Pete's, High N Dry Cleaners and Hilton Realty. Other participating stores included: Italian People's Bakery, Party Fair, Anna Marie Pratico Jewelers, Reading Center and Rock Dreams Electronics.
Our special thanks to the TRENTON TIMES for featuring an announcement in its community news column. This coverage helped boost the success of the drive.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to the greater Mercerville community. We wish everyone the joy and kindness that their support has bestowed upon our care receivers at this special time of year.
Eileen P. Thornton
Hamilton
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