It seems when watching television, the media bombards us with negative images of teenagers today.  Well, I have seen and heard some terrific young people right here in our community.  I attended the town meeting on May 12.  More than 40 high school students came to the meeting, most being denied entry because they were not registered voters.  They watched the meeting on a television in the Middle School library.  The students’ main reason for attending was their concern regarding the impact of cuts on the middle school and high school music programs.

At Town Meeting I heard a very eloquent senior named James Adams speak on behalf of his fellow students in the high school music program.  He spoke of the positive impact the music program has had on him and his fear of the East Bridgewater school pusic program coming to an end.  His words were met with thunderous applause.

These cuts will not affect James or most of the 40 students who sat in the Gordon Mitchell Middle School library watching the Town Meeting.  Most will have completed high school before the true effects of the music program cuts will be felt.  These high school students came to the town meeting to speak for the children in our community.  Children like my daughter who is in first grade.  A little girl who attended the middle school/high school Pops Concert and the seventh and eighth grade production of “South Pacific,” left the performances saying she can’t wait until she can be in the school band and act in a school play.  I hope I will not have to tell her one day that she will not have that opportunity.

I just want say thank you to the members of high school music program.  You have done our town proud with your many awards over the years.  Your devotion in trying to preserve the music program for the younger children in our community is commendable and greatly appreciated.  My hope is the rest of the town rallies around your cause.