All students deserve chance at success

In regards to Mr. John Comer's letter in the Feb. 2 Apalachicola and Carrabelle Times, I cannot comprehend how he can justify that graduates of Franklin County, whether past or present are deemed illiterate, unprepared or poverty bound. I am a 2006 graduate of Carrabelle High School. I am neither illiterate nor poverty bound. In fact, when I graduated from Carrabelle High School I received a total of five scholarships and was more prepared than most students who enter college. Unprepared students do not obtain scholarships, nor do they attempt to obtain scholarships. Illiterate students do not complete four college level classes before he/she graduates high school either.

In later months, I attended Gulf Coast Community College. I obtained my first college degree, an Associates of Arts degree in Elementary Education. When I graduated in 2010 within the top 15 percent of my class, was named to the Dean’s List several semesters, it was no stopping point for me. I had higher ambitions, higher dreams, to prove that I was more than a statistic who was destined for failure before I had a chance to even prove that I was worthy of obtaining such a goal. In my last semester of Gulf Coast, I applied and was accepted to Florida State University. Florida State University is among the top ten state universities in the nation. A top ten nationally ranked university does not accept students who are ill equipped, but rather those students who obtain excellence and high academic achievements!

Today, I am proud to say that on April 29, 2012, I will become an FSU alumna. I am among the top 10 percent of the 2012 Florida State University graduates. I currently have a grade point average of 3.677 and have been named to the Dean’s List every semester while at Florida State. I have received scholarships from the university and worked full time while obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Less than six weeks ago, I was sworn into multiple honor societies. The first honor society chapter is sponsored by Florida State and is called the Garnet Key society. This honor is awarded to the top 10 percent of Florida State students who maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, possess professional levels of leadership, and academic excellence. The second honor society is a national chapter founded by Gold Key. Gold Key honor society has a select group of students that is chosen by a committee and individuals may join by invitation only. Once again, illiterate (aka un-trainable) students do not get the privilege of having these honors.

Graduates of Franklin County High School deserve more than to be told that a job at McDonald’s is above them and that they are unprepared for college. ALL students deserve the chance to achieve their dreams and ambitions no matter who they are or where they come from. We can all change. We can all be great inventors, writers, teachers, explorers and so much more! It only takes one person to believe in us. That’s exactly what the teachers of Franklin County do; they believe in their students!

On an ending note, I am here to inform you that the educators of Franklin County are of the highest profession. The teachers educate students to excel in life, academics, and their extracurricular activities. My teachers were there to mentor and educate me. They were my advocates, friends, and supporters. I am looking forward to earning the title of a Franklin County School teacher! I will even go as far to say that the members of the Franklin County community are blessed to have such excellent teachers and a continually improving public school system!

With Best Regards,

Natasha Pennycuff