University High move

I am a teacher at University High School and wanted to say that it has been bittersweet closing down this campus. Room 104 is and was my first classroom.

We have seen a lot of students pass through these halls and are very proud of those who are now part of the workforce. We’ve had doctors, lawyers, educators, athletes, carpenters, moms and dads who are contributing to our society and we are proud of them. University High School does live up to its name. It is truly a universal school.

We’ve mourned losses and celebrated victories here. We’ve worked as a team and individually to ensure the success of as many students as we could.

Now as we close the doors of the original University High School campus in anticipation of opening the doors of the new one, I say thank you to all who have made both schools possible. Thank you to everyone, from the house on the corner with a year-round nativity scene that inspired me every day on my way to work, to all those who worked feverishly to make sure the new school opens its doors on time.

And thank you, Waco, for sending us your very best students. As we close these doors and open new ones, I know that I will do the best I can for your children as I am sure my colleagues will also.

Teresa M. Nors, West

Candy store mentality

Gov. Rick Perry is the only one to blame for the special legislative session. He set the agenda for the regular session with his “emergency” legislation. A voter ID bill to stop rampant voter fraud that no one can prove, lawsuit reform and forcing a woman to undergo an invasive medical procedure took precedence over the budget and education funding.

The Trib’s Wednesday editorial states that state Sen. Wendy Davis’ filibuster will be responsible for additional legislation in the special session. But we will see if Perry is mature enough to consider only what is required — rather than treat this session like a candy store with an open door.

Evelyn Cowart, Waco

Increase debt ceiling

How far will the Republicans and tea partiers go to get President Barack Obama out of office? We witnessed the “shut’er down” mentality of the tea party and its ignorance and defiance regarding the harm it advocated. Now Republicans in Congress — again in defiance and hatred of the president — oppose increasing the federal debt ceiling.

So much for putting politics aside and working with this administration.

Barbara Collier, Waco

Lady Raiders record

Robert Robinson was right in his Wednesday letter to point out that the Texas Tech Lady Raiders also won a NCAA basketball championship in 1993.

However, no one has referenced what may have been one of the most impressive national championships and overall seasons ever by a Texas school: The University of Texas women, under head coach Jody Conradt, won the 1986 NCAA Championship to finish the 1985-86 season with a win-loss record of 34-0.  This was the first undefeated season in women’s basketball during the NCAA era (since 1982) and the fourth undefeated season in women’s college basketball overall.

Sam Brown, Waco