To the editor:
 I would like to take the time to express my feelings about how lucky we are as a student body.
 Every day last year I walked into our building feeling like I’d won the lottery, yet all I heard was things like “This school sucks!” or “I would leave here and go to another school in a heartbeat!”   Although these statements don’t seem to be a big deal to other students, it shocks me how many people here aren’t realizing the opportunities they really have.
 Last year was my first year here at Southeast Polk and I would just like to say that this school is absolutely phenomenal.
 Transferring from a school district that has consistently made the No Child Left Behind Persistently Low-Achieving Schools list, has declining enrollment, is closing down one of the district’s four building and whose sports programs are a feasting ground to get eaten up and spit out by opposing schools, it would be nice if everyone at SEP would consider what comes along with being a Ram.
 Not only do you get a new multi-million dollar school, but you also get a wonderful staff that’s dedicated to your education. There are also great clubs and an experienced, motivated group of athletic coaches.
 At my old school, the focus was always on the kids in trouble, never the academics. For example, at our eighth grade graduation, awards were handed out for insignificant acts as I waited for recognition for my academics but got nothing.
 I was then told that my academic excellence awards would be mailed to me. Needless to say, I never received them.
 On a daily basis at Southeast Polk, however, I have been rewarded in many ways for caring about my education.
 There are so many choices for classes and extra-curriculars offered to us here that many schools don’t have the funding for or just don’t care enough about.
 SEP teachers and coaches take pride in our programs in ways I have never experienced before.
 Heck, SEP even takes pride with our personalized garbage cans and recycling bins, something you probably won’t find anywhere else!
 I understand that many students here have never experienced anything other than the Southeast Polk District, so my advice to those students would be that until you get creamed in every single sporting event with scores such as 72-zip or become mentally exhausted while fighting for a higher standard of academics, then and only then should you come here and say, “This school sucks!”
 I guarantee the thought wouldn’t ever cross your mind again.