Big 12 shake-up

Brice Cherry’s Aug. 19 column [“Aggies’ affair with SEC all about Longhorns”] about Texas A&M University going to the SEC and leaving the Big 12 was right on target.

I hold degrees from A&M and Baylor University, and the sudden urge by Aggies to bolt to the SEC reminds me of the lemmings’ march to the sea. It has come from nowhere and is proceeding without rhyme or reason.

I am opposed to the move because we do not know those people and have nothing in common with their culture and academics.

How can something as trivial as a college TV network drive us away from the Big 12? The NCAA already has ruled that the Longhorn Network may not televise high school games.

We all know that UT is rich and arrogant, but that is precisely the reason it is so much fun to kick their rear ends. Furthermore, how can we leave our friends and rivals of 100 years for a few pieces of silver?

Michael Cuscurida, Waco

School bullying

The new school year has begun, and I must break my silence regarding bullying.

Bullying has been a repeated issue in the China Spring Independent School District. A decade ago, my beautiful and bright daughter was bullied at China Spring Middle School. This continued throughout high school and led to depression and eating disorders.

Now I know of a handful of students who also are bullied in this district, including children of China Spring teachers. I know of families who have moved from the district because of bullying.

It is time for China Spring to acknowledge that bullying exists and to address the problem. They need a policy in place that will not tolerate any type of bullying. I hope they will implement this before others fall victim.

Nancy Klemenok, Crawford

Tiger moms explained

Bob Gross, of McGregor, in his Wednesday letter voiced the opinion that building state-of-the-art educational facilities in Central Texas will not guarantee the success of our students over that of the Chinese.

He believes “the degree of education a child receives depends more on the curriculum, the efforts and skills of teachers, and the common-sense goals of the administration.”

Bob, have you ever heard of the term “tiger mom”? That’s why Chinese students succeed.

Cal Slonaker, Waco

Academics first

My, how I would love to see the cover of Waco Today magazine show the students who made perfect scores on their SAT or ACT tests rather than a football player.

I realize football generates a ton of revenue for our area, but I don’t think that sports are more important than our future doctors, lawyers, accountants or entrepreneurs.

Let’s get our priorities straight and cover brains, not brawn.

Suzanne Parrish, China Spring

Mandolin master

J.P. Shafer, 15, of Woodway, won the Texas State Mandolin Championship held Aug. 20. Congratulations on his win, which will propel him to compete in the national championships held today in Kansas. He plays for the group Third Rail and often performs locally.

Robert Wilson, China Spring