I wanted to make you aware of an act of philanthropy that the students of Harris Upper Elementary School recently participated in. Jared Austin is a 5-year-old resident of Meridian who has aplastic anemia.

He must go to the Children's Cancer Clinic once a week to receive blood products, mainly platelets, that are vital for his continued well-being. There is a fund established at Citizens National Bank that is to be used to help defray some of his family's medical expenses.

The student at Harris held a two-week "Spare Change for Jared" drive. It featured competitions between homerooms and daily updates on the leader board. The students were able to raise $502 that was given to the fund that is being used to offset some of the very high medical bills incurred by Jared's family.

We are very proud of these students for showing the caring and concern needed to make this a successful effort to help a family in need. Many of them gave up their snack and ice cream money in order to donate. Others opened their piggy-bank to help this child. It would be wonderful if they could receive some recognition for their efforts. It would not only be nice for them, but might inspire others to help this young man and his family.

We appreciate all you do for the children of Meridian Public Schools.

Ray Matheny, counselor
Harris Upper Elementary School

On offending Black Springbreak visitors
To the Editor:

I wish to commend the Mississippi coastal city fathers, radio personalities and especially the Sun Herald staff for their efforts in removing that awful Confederate flag from the beach. Its presence would have been so embarrassingly offensive to the Black Springbreak visitors.

Armond "Si" Simmons
Pell City, Ala.

Editor's note: Offend them? We must not be thinking about the same event.

First lady asks Legislature to support teacher pay raise
To the Editor:

An open letter from first lady Melanie Musgrove:

When the governor and I were first married, I worked as a legal assistant to help us pay the bills while Ronnie was attending law school at the University of Mississippi. I was content doing that job, but when Ronnie finished law school and began his practice in Batesville, he encouraged me to get my degree in elementary education. He says that he always thought I would be a good teacher.

I completed my degree in 1991 and began working at Pope Elementary School where I taught reading to fifth and sixth grade students, and I continued teaching throughout Ronnie's campaigning for governor until Jan. 11, 2000, which was the day he was sworn into office.

Many people have asked me if moving from the classroom to the Governor's Mansion would lessen my interest in teaching. Nothing could be further from the truth. I simply see that my role as a teacher has changed somewhat.

Now I have the opportunity to travel the state and talk to a wide variety of people about issues that I feel are important to the people of our state. The most important issue that I have been discussing with Mississippians is the fact that our teachers are underpaid for the jobs that they do.

I have supported the governor's efforts to raise teacher pay, not just because he is my husband, and not just because I have been a teacher for eight years. I support his efforts because it is the right thing to do for the teachers and for the students of Mississippi.

Our teachers hold the future of our state in their hands. They are imparting wisdom to our children, and those children will take what they have been taught and use it to become the leaders of tomorrow.

As a former teacher, and someone who has seen other teachers struggle to make ends meet, I am asking the Legislature to make a commitment today to raise teacher pay. It is critical to Mississippi's future.

Melanie Musgrove,
first lady of Mississippi

Jackson Looking forward to a return visit to Meridian
To the Editor:

On March 17, my family stopped in Meridian on our way to New Orleans. I am writing to commend the city of Meridian on its gracious hospitality!

When we left the interstate, we saw a Red Lobster Restaurant, but were unable to get there from our vantage point. My husband stopped in the parking lot of Kmart and asked a gentleman directions to the restaurant. He not only explained how to get there, but said he would be delighted to drive there so that we could follow him. He was kind enough to lead us directly to the Red Lobster parking lot.

After being seated inside, we had the most delightful young lady take care of our table. She welcomed us to Meridian and wished us a pleasant trip to New Orleans.

After dinner, we decided to check into a motel for the evening.

The first motel had no vacancy, so we drove to another. That motel was filled also, but the desk clerk offered to call another motel for us. She made phone calls until she found a room for us.

We spent the night, rose early, had breakfast and proceeded south. My husband, son and I agreed that we had never been treated more cordially.

Everyone we encountered in Meridian went out of their way to be helpful and courteous. Thank you all. We look forward to a return visit to Meridian!

Judy L. Milliken
Bowling Green, Ky.

The Meridian Star welcomes letters from its readers. Letters may be mailed or faxed (485-1275). Letters should be of general local interest and not exceed 300 words. They must bear the writer's name, address and signature, as well as a telephone number where the writer can be reached. All letters are subject to editing. Letters can be emailed to info@meridianstar.com or mail letters to:

Letters to the Editor
The Meridian Star
P.O. Box 1591
Meridian, MS 39302