Parent wants all children to have more opportunities

To the Editor:

It’s one of those parenting clichés that we all want our children to have better lives and greater opportunities than we had ourselves. My children already have.

My daughter Amber, a senior at Heights High, is currently taking a full course load at Cleveland State University while simultaneously attending classes at Heights. She will finish high school with her entire freshman year of college under her belt. I cannot even begin to describe what this means to me financially and emotionally. For her to start college without the worry of being burdened by crippling debt is a huge weight off my shoulders.

More than saving money or earning credits, Amber has gained things that are immeasurable from her years in Heights schools. She is now the student activities coordinator for the Vocal Music Department. This has given her a sense of confidence and responsibility usually reserved for adult leaders. She knows that she has the power to make a positive difference in the school experiences of herself and her classmates.

These kinds of experiences aren't available to all students, especially not in many urban districts. But CH-UH does more, and my children are incredibly lucky for that. From Chinese and chess clubs to instrumental music lessons, from Amber’s passion for music to Davia’s athletic talents, Heights schools nurture,  challenge and support my daughters.   

They’ve traveled with their schools from Shaker Lakes to Nashville, Chicago and Washington D.C.—experiences many children may never have.

I am voting for Issue 109, the upcoming school levy, because I want all children to have the opportunities that my daughters have had. I hope you’ll join me.