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Letter: Following the beat builds up youth

The Columbian
Published: June 3, 2013, 5:00pm

Editor’s Note: Skyview High School’s marching band program is not being considered for budget cuts by the Vancouver school district. This letter to the editor, originally published on June 4, made an incorrect assertion about the program.

Skyview High School and the Vancouver School District are discussing cutting the Marching Band and Reign Dance Team programs. As a Skyview band alum I am writing to garner support for the program.

Skyview marching band changed my life. I was shy with low self-confidence before I joined. Marching band helped build my confidence and gave me leadership abilities. The life skills and personal growth I gained helped pave my way to college. As section leader and drum major I learned how to positively motivate others and how to work with large and small groups. I learned that through teamwork you can accomplish amazing things.

After watching the news each time there is another school shooting or violence around the nation, I ask myself, what can be done? For me the answer is inclusion. We need to try to be more inclusive and aware of the people around us. As clubs and extracurricular activities are cut, there are fewer and fewer places for our kids to feel they belong. Fewer reasons to be connected to their schools, fewer reasons to care.

Marching band is one of those safe, family-like inclusive activities that helps to promote positive feelings toward each other. Taking away this large an inclusive activity for our kids is a mistake.

Julie Smith

Yuma, Ariz.

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter
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