To the editor:

After reading the recent letters by young people about their concerns (Journal-World, Jan. 20), Sally Landoll, language arts teacher, deserves recognition for the art of encouragement. The young writers deserve a “hats off” for moving forward with that project. Excellent performance on relating your thoughts to the public.

You teenagers are selling yourselves short. Put your ingenuity to work. More buildings will not eliminate boredom. You kids can do it!

Do any of the parents have space for a 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of plywood to build a Lego city that could involve more than one teen?

How to get around? Use bikes and feet or public transportation. Walking or biking about town will provide a ton of exercise. Remember water.

Do one day of:

• Swim at the indoor pool.

• Go to a movie.

• Have a gathering in a home.

• Take bike hikes to Clinton Lake on the bike trail.

• Plan a hike on foot (five or six miles with lots of water)

• Volunteer to help an older senior neighbor with yard work.

• Schedule classes at the Lawrence Arts Center.

• Grocery shop for Mom and Dad.

• Get a part-time job.

• Plant an organic food garden.

• Play kickball at the school grounds.

•Take up roller blade hockey

• Visit the KU Natural History Museum.

• Have a board game party.

• 4-H projects – even for city slickers.

Enjoy yourselves.

Richard Heckler,
Lawrence