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

To the editor:

The Baker Wetlands are home to many plants and animals. In fact, it is home to over 300 species of plants, 200 species of animals, and over 20 species of amphibians and many more. Some of the plants in the Baker Wetlands can help make medicine, such as the red willow plant, which is an ingredient for aspirin. Some other plants in the wetlands, such as cattails, can be an alternative source of fuel. I understand that the problem is that building the highway through the wetlands will disturb the animals that are inhabited in the wetlands.

In the wetlands there are unmarked graves of Native Americans from long ago. The government would then have to use more money and time just to figure out who the bones belong to, piece the bones together, and bury them properly.

Perhaps a faster route to Kansas City would be building the highway on 42nd Street. This is south of the Wakarusa River and would be a perfect location for the highway without harming the plants and animals in the wetlands. Please think about the plants and animals and the fact that there are alternative locations to the proposed site.

Cassandra Truong,

Southwest Junior High