To the editor:
I have been hearing about a potential North Shore Tech/Essex Aggie merger since my freshman year at North Shore Tech back in 1997-'98.
After experiencing what this school had to offer, I saw why so many students wanted to attend. This was an amazing opportunity. I knew it wouldn't happen in my four years there, but I hoped it would happen so that my little sister could experience something I could only dream about.
When I read in the paper that the merger is finally becoming a reality, I was excited. Finally, after all these years the school we've been dreaming about is going to be built. And although my sister won't be able to experience the new school, I know there will be many students that will benefit the way I did.
But now Gloucester is talking about possibly not continuing partnership with North Shore Tech, and that saddens me.
Being a graduate of North Shore Tech, I feel embarrassed that my hometown may be the only community that seems to not want to work with one of the best opportunities a student could have. By not continuing our partnership with the regional vocational district, we would be putting our students at a huge disadvantage for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Our school system and city has other issues to focus on; we shouldn't be trying to figure out how to provide what is already provided by another school.
Our students need options for education; they all learn differently and have different goals in life. We can't possibly provide everything that every student needs to thrive here.
Gloucester needs to support a promising future for its youth and vote in favor of keeping partnered with North Shore Tech. Let's not be the only community that holds their youth back from this amazing opportunity.
alicia marchant
Maple Street, Gloucester
North Shore Tech graduate, 2001
