Dear Source:
The nomination of Dr. Spampinato has been highly contested and quite frankly a bit disappointing to me. As a product of the educational system of St.Thomas I can say unequivocally that I have been able to function at a level above a majority of my peers educated in the continental U.S. That being said, the current state of the V.I. Department of Education is dire, and in much need of a major overhaul.
Many in the local community are wary of outsiders, and placing them in positions seemingly "over us". Life has a way of teaching you lessons and one that I will never forget is how I, as a wayward teenager attending C.A.H.S. was brought onto the straight and narrow, by a teacher from the states none the less. She inspired me to pursue my love for English and History like no one had before, and helped foster my desire to ultimately teach someday. Yes this was a white lady, and I will never forget he. Her name was Mrs. Hunt and she dispelled many of my preconceived notions of people from the states as being different than we were. You see people are taught prejudice, it is not inherent or something genetically predisposed in us.
I went all the way around the bend to say this. Maybe this lady is the answer, maybe not. Her past does pose some legitimate questions, and her less than willingness to discuss the details does give one pause, but the senate needs to consider what alternatives we have for the immediate future. Why not give her a chance?
Anthony Fontaine
Walnut Hill, Va.
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