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

To the editor:

Have you or your kids ever seemed tired or crabby, lazy or overweight, well everyone can feel like this, but what can you do? Exercise is the answer. Kids start making life choices early in life that influence them in the long run. Many adults say they’re over-weight because they weren’t offered the variety of sports schools offer today. Lawrence offers baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, swimming, volleyball but the sports aren’t as competitive as some people would like or they are too expensive.

According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity becomes less common when kids are involved in sports because of all the calories kids burn. Also, the Women’s Sports Foundation claims that girls that play sports have more confidence and better test scores. These facts influence school work.

In addition, the Mayo Clinic says that sports promote better sleep due to the body’s natural drop in temperature about 5-6 hours after exercising so kids get to sleep faster. The better sleep could help children pay attention in class. The Mayo Clinic also states that sports help your mood because it stimulates various brain cells that make you happier. This again contributes to school. When kids are crabby, they act up in class and disturb the work of others.

Think about it. If we added more sports to Lawrence, children would be happier, less tired and achieve more in school. So, please think about this and help bring more sports to Lawrence.

Meredith Morris,

Southwest Junior High