High school could face a bumpy ride
On Sept. 20, the Daily Herald featured an article headlined "Atheist's daughter takes own stand at school."
Miss Sherman voiced her youthful opinion regarding the removal of "God Bless America" from the school's homecoming song list (this action is just the proverbial foot in the door, folks), and 44 other members of the Buffalo Grove High School student council agreed to remove this song without a whimper. Wow! Miss Sherman isn't sure if there are other District 214 policies she objects to but assures us that she will keep her eye out.
Who in the world put this young person in charge of policy at Buffalo Grove High School's homecoming? Was there some sort of student council election that made Miss Sherman Grand Pooh-Bah? Is there still a principal at this school?
Is there no respect for the history behind the Irving Berlin classic? Berlin was a Russian Jew who had immigrated to this country with his family. He wrote "God Bless America" in 1919; for him it was about being a patriot. He was proud of his adopted country. He was grateful to be living in a free country.
In partnership with Kate Smith, all of the royalties garnered from "God Bless America" were donated to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. I believe Miss Sherman may have some knowledge of these organizations in her history.
We won't have to wait very long for Miss Sherman to spot another potentially dangerous problem not to her liking. In just a few short years she will be required to take a U.S. history course and the Constitution test will be part of the curriculum. There will be some references to God in that material. Tighten your seat belt Buffalo Grove High School. The school board is in for a bumpy ride if the only people who have the intestinal fortitude to take a stand are the students.
Alice Coughlin Ryan
Hoffman Estates