Please vote yes

Dear Editor,

I'm lucky. That's what I've been told countless times by my family. My teachers. My parents. I'm lucky.

I'm so lucky to have so many opportunities to educate myself and grow, and that I'd better take advantage of it because they didn't have those things when they were in school. You know, typical boring adult talk. But while sitting in my AP US history class, I began to realize what they meant. I didn't feel especially lucky when getting paint all over myself while coloring the inside of a locker for the musical set, or while filling out little bubble after little bubble for the AP Computer Science test, or heading to the golf course every day after school to work on the same shot, but that's because I never experienced school without them. 

The Dodgeville school district has let me branch out and try all sorts of sports, clubs, and classes that have all shaped me into who I am today. The sheer amount of class choices allows me to specialize my learning to prepare me for a career ahead, as well as to participate in and learn about the things I love. I've even gotten college credit already, and will continue to do so, thanks to the college level and AP classes offered. 

So while it can be hard sometimes... yeah, I am lucky. And so are all of the kids attending Dodgeville Schools. 

We've got lots of great classes, and so many great teachers who help guide us through our education journey with skill, and  dare I say style. I know so many people who have a favorite teacher, or who actually understand Geometry because of the expertise of one. Which is why we'd all be heartbroken to see any of them go. 

I know people who literally only come to school to see a single teacher each day, because their lives at home aren't that great, and the teacher reminds them that there's still good in life and reason to come. 

I know people who want to go on to work in high paid, well respected jobs that will revolutionize the world, and they're confident they can make it because of the great classes they can take here to prepare themselves. 

My point is, while it's by no means perfect, our school district is pretty great, for so many more reasons than it's a free public school. It's free so anyone who wants to can go and get the education experience that they deserve, with our wonderful teachers and multitude of classes. Everyone contributes to letting it stay free through small taxes that allow these things to happen. 

But in this day and age, money doesn't go as far as it used to. Inflation brings up prices while keeping income the same, and reducing the ability for schools to keep up their education programs. Which is why we are going to start needing to, and frankly already have, cut teachers, classes, and extracurricular activities. 

I'm not into politics or taxes or the economy any more than your average Sophomore, but I have seen first-hand what can and does happen to our schools when the money runs short. My favorite teachers have left to other schools with better pay, classes I want to take have no guarantee of being available next year, and fun activities that require the school to spend money are happening less and less. The effects aren't just some abstract, distant horror that may or may not come and is used to net the schools an extra buck. It's real, and it's right on top of us. I see its effects every day in school. 

The upcoming referendum is a beacon of light, though; a lifeline in the stormy sea. It's a way to keep our teachers, keep our classes, and frankly, keep our students. Because less options, less teachers, and less opportunities means less students. 

So even if you don't have a child, and you've made it all the way through this arguably excessively lengthy letter, consider this. 

Helping a school doesn't just impact the child of the person helping. It impacts EVERY child. Every kid who goes to their favorite teacher every day because they don't feel loved at home, every big dreamer who wants to make a difference in life and take those hard classes, every sports star who wants to better themselves and get a college scholarship, ALL OF THEM are affected. Because when your generation is dead and gone, dear reader, we'll still be here. And by giving those who'll be around in the future a better education and therefore a better chance to make a difference, you're giving yourself one of the greatest legacies there is. 

Even if you don't have a child, there will be children in the future. And if you can help them, if you can make a better world by setting an example for the children that come next by helping your community school, if you can help them feel lucky, that's a powerful legacy. 

Please vote YES for the school referendum.

Felix Wieczorek

Sophomore at Dodgeville High

Dodgeville, WI