Rayen gets a bad rap

Rayen gets a bad rap
EDITOR:
The double homicide involving four city teenage boys was shocking and disturbing. As a teacher at The Rayen High School, I was even more saddened because I knew instantly that this would be yet another stain on a Youngstown city school's reputation. Tuesday's Vindicator article seemed to think it important to include Rayen's name in the title of the article, but the reporter failed to complete her investigative reporting. With one more phone call, she could have easily learned that each of these boys was already suspended or expelled from the school.
I love watching people's expressions when they learn that I teach at Rayen. I get the same silly questions over and over. Are you scared to teach there? Do the kids bring guns to school? Have you ever been attacked? Are you looking for a new teaching position in the suburbs? Although I do laugh away their questions, they are yet another reminder of the ignorance and racism that still exists in our society.
The Rayen High School is a productive and pleasant learning environment. Our students are intelligent, creative and have hopes and dreams just like any other students. While a few of our students have succumbed to violence, many have overcome tragedy and hardship and are a daily inspiration to me. It is unfortunate that the tragic stories and isolated events seem to overshadow the positive things that take place daily at the school.
This school has an amazing and resilient spirit and I have never worked with more dedicated administrators, counselors and teachers. My young son recently suffered a traumatic injury. The students created cards and wrote poems and prayers for him and me, and although many of the students are disadvantaged economically, they raised over $500 for him. Any teacher, whether from a rural, suburban or city school, will tell you that there are challenging days and obstinate students, but that these are overshadowed by the inspiring students and their successes and accomplishments.
Let this be a reminder that kids are kids, no matter what color they are and no matter where they live. Please do not judge Rayen or its students based on four young men who chose a dangerous and tragic path in their lives. Instead, let us praise and uplift the hundreds of students who are flourishing and are striving to become successful young adults.
JENNIFER WALKER
Canfield
Lots of fiction, little fact
EDITOR:
For shame. Putting the author of a piece of fiction on the top half of the front page of The Vindicator May 18, "Separating fact from fiction. & quot; The only fact in The Da Vinci Code is that there exists or existed certain organizations and/or persons at one time or another -- all else is pure fiction.
When a friend mentioned a mystery she had read, and wanted to know if I wanted to read it, I said "yes. & quot; For my part, solving the puzzles, and trying to determine who the protagonist was occupied my time. Of course, it was easy knowing the protagonist. It was the main character's mentor.
In almost 75 years of reading fiction and nonfiction and seeing movies based on books, it has been my experience that only one movie was as good as the book, and that was "Gone With the Wind." The common wisdom was that a movie was never as good as the book. In this nonreading age, most people would not know the difference.
Let's face it. Your front page "news" report is pandering to the Madison Avenue hype.
LEONARD J. SAINATO
Warren
Keep religion out of it
EDITOR:
It's high time The Vindicator relinquished any and all claims to being an agent for the common good. Monday's 7-inch by 8-inch headline, picture and nonstory of three local shaman distributing "Communion" is proof positive that The Vindicator has very little interest beyond the publication and dissemination of sectarian tripe.
AL BLAZO
Youngstown