Editor’s note: Today’s letters to the editor are from Southwest Junior High students learning about persuasive writing.

To the editor:

Skateboarding has been around since the early 1970s. Starting from the “old school surf style,” to the hard-core skate boarding of today, this sport was beloved in the ’70s and ’80s. The ’90s also brought many great skaters. But the new millennium has been its downfall.

Many people criticize skateboarders for how they look and act. But not all skaters are bad. Tony Hawk, a well known skateboarder, is clean cut, well behaved and has two children. That goes to show that skateboarders are good people, too.

In some cases a skateboard is the only mode of transportation for some people. That is why the law that bans skateboarders from riding downtown is inconsiderate of those people. Bikers are also not allowed downtown. Many people that have bikes, rollerblades, or skateboards don’t have the room to ride freely. The skate parks are fun but with the recent “remodeling” it’s hard to just ride. There is a coating of urethane on top of the original asphalt. As a result when it rains the top material soaks up the water and gets soft. Making it hard to land any tricks or get far with a few pushes or peddles.

If the law banning skateboards and bikes would change, a lot of people will be appreciative.

Miller Wolf,

Southwest Junior High