They knew they were breaking the law. Had they continued this activity into college and later in life, they would have ended up either being responsible for killing people or being imprisoned for other types of illegal activity. Bombs have a way of exploding lives. I know, my brother was killed by the Unabomber. I am sure that Miss Parker's life will never be the same and that her suffering has spread in an expanding ricochet large enough to include the lives of many others.
Explosions cause fear and confusion and decisions are affected.
My concern in writing this letter is the decision-making process that has negotiated away the act of rewarding positive achievement. As the mother of four academically-gifted children and a recent inductee into the Honor Society, I have a strong belief in rewarding accomplishments. Believe me, I believe in punishing the guilty in an effective way. I hope our actions as a community raising our children are responsible, i.e., responding with the light of understand. It appears the Jackson County Board of Education, the principal and the superintendent have made an uninformed decision and have now adopted an arrogant attitude by refusing further discussion.