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