Media Engagement

Letter of Commendation

Senator Greg Treat
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 530
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Dear Senator Greg Treat:

We are writing on behalf of Mercy School Institute, a private school located in South Edmond, to request a letter of commendation for our school.  This school has seen twelve wonderful years since its first establishment back in 1999. Our school’s population has grown substantially, and it continues to increase every year. Mercy School aims to nurture confident and committed youth and to raise its students to have righteous and noble character to contribute to the betterment of the American society.

Over the years, Mercy students have devoted their time and effort in contributing to not only the Oklahoman community, but to the entire American society. We have raised funds and charities to give to various organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Foundation and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. We hope to become a model green school as we have established our Green Team this year. Our students are also participating in the teen board at OKC Beautiful, which aims to improve the image and appearance of Oklahoma City, and Newsroom 101, a student workshop for future journalists organized by the Oklahoman. Lastly, we have volunteered at the Food Bank as a way to give back to our society and to help the unfortunate.

Mercy School students have also competed in a variety of contests and competitions. Every year, students take part in Scripps National Spelling Bee and the National Geography Bee. Our elementary and middle school students also partake in FLL, the First Lego League. Last year, both our teams advanced to the statewide competition. We have participated in and placed 1^st in Respect Diversity, an art/poetry competition to promote diversity among schools in Oklahoma. Last year, at the Science Museum of Oklahoma, Mercy students helped the Respect Diversity Foundation paint the mural, of which a part was designed by some of our students.

As you can see, our school teaches our students core American values that will help them become an asset to this country. However, we are still in the process of developing this school. We have not yet been accredited, and we are looking forward to it. Your letter of commendation would be a great benefit to help our school succeed.

Thank you for taking your time to read this letter.

Yours truly,

Nida Safdar                              Uzma Sandhu
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Letter to Editor

Dear Editor,

            Life, Liberty, and Justice for All. These were the three fundamental concepts that the United States was once founded on. The government has always sworn to protect this country and its citizens. However, in the case of recent events, it seems as though some of these promises are being fulfilled.

            Our youth is an essential part of this society. They possess unique ideas and have the potential of transforming the future. Sadly, many children, like Serenity Deal, suffering from abuses and neglect from their parents and the entire society. The government should play a greater role to ensure the safety of these children. The DHS, Department of Human Services, has proved itself incompetent of this role. Deaths of children within the hands of the DHS are seen regularly, going back to Ryan Luke sixteen years ago. It is extremely upsetting to see innocent children having to endure so much.

            Just think about it. The child faces oppression and rejection from his or her parents, the ones who they love and trust the most. Then, they are forced out of the security of their homes and are put into the care of the employees of the DHS, whom the child considers a stranger. They do not trust anyone. To top it all, the workers of the DHS are making constant mistakes on what to do with the child and where to put him or her. Once in a while, these mistakes are proven fatal.

            As one can see here, it is a horror to imagine what the child goes through. Thankfully, Governor Marry Fallin has replaced the old commissioners of the DHS. Truly, the government needs to support these children when their parents have left their side. The time now yells the need for a strong leadership. Why are the children being punished for mistake of others? They are the only sources of success for our future. Everyone should work together and arouse sentiment to prevent another Serenity Deal from happening again. Think about it. What if this happened to your daughter, niece, cousin, or sister?

           

Nida Safdar
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