Objection seems anti-American

As an American citizen and a student at Buffalo Grove High School, I am outraged at your article about Dawn Sherman and her "act to make the school more secular."

To me, any person against hearing the words to "God Bless America" is more closely linked to being anti-American than just atheist.

It is one thing if this freshman feels her personal rights are in danger by the lyrics to an inspiring and moving song, but it is something completely different if she feels she has enough power to change our homecoming traditions. It's not like her learning is being affected by the tradition of playing music in the hallways during passing periods.

Our homecoming theme was "One World, One Night," and Sept. 24 was "America Day." The point was to dress up in red white and blue or your favorite pro-sports team apparel, and play America-associated activities in the cafeteria during lunch. Patriotic songs are being played throughout the hallway all day long, and "God Bless America" happens to be a very patriotic song.

If she had a problem with it, she should have just stayed home from school, or listen to her iPod in the hallways instead of the music played through the loudspeaker.

Is she going to start a movement to have the school stop playing the pledge of allegiance? Is she going to refuse to take world history, where you learn about the history of all types of religion, because that's what most of history is based off?

Will my Christian fish necklace become against the dress code because one person can't handle the fact that not everyone believes what she does? Where will Dawn and her "secular school" ideals lead one of the leading public schools in the area?

Christine Douthwaite

Wheeling