Dear Mr. President: American students write to our future president about what concerns them

October 23, 7:52 AMNY Education ExaminerLorri Giovinco-Harte

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It scares me to know that I will be raising a family in a society were gangs are so prevalent and out of control. Knowing the influence that gangs have on teens and the violence, drugs and general lack of respect they have for society scares me to death. -Bree

The National Writing Project, along with Google sponsored an online writing project for students, ages 13 - 18, entitled Letters to the Next President: Writing Our Future.  Students from all over the country worked with their teachers to write persuasive letters to our future president about the issues and concerns that they feel are 'central to their future, issues they would hope our next president would act on'.

Topics were chosen by the students and include education, violence, war, global warming, abortion, pollution, poverty, and many more.  The letters range in length and style, yet all provide us with a unique opportunity to see what worries our young people. Here are a few excerpts:

On Violence:

Safety, it seems so simple, and yet if that is so, then why do people die each year from different terrorist, racist, and gang-related groups? Why must these families all across the United States have to suffer the tragedy of loss? Why? Is is not said in our constitution that as citizens of the United States we are entitled to the right of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness? -Zach S.

On Education:

Education is very important. About 40% of the U.S people have fallen below the poverty line. And without education, the percent of poverty will rise. Many jobs require you to have a college education. Over 11 million jobs in our country between the years of 2004-2014 which is 63% of the workplace, will require you to have a college education. So without education many Americans will have a harder time of receiving many jobs.This will increase poverty because many people will be without jobs.This issue would be a major problem. -Stephanie P.

On Global Warming:

I have a lot of concerns about Global Warming. If we do not do anything about it right now. Things are not going to go so good in the future for our next generation. Since we are having weather issues now, who knows what is going to happened in the future. All the damage we are having with the hurricanes and the tornadoes. A lot of this weather is causing our money issues. The weather is just getting worse and we are having more money problems. The damage that these weather conditions are creating, are making us pay more money for it. The machinery that is polluting our air makes the atmosphere thicker, which causes the weather to get worse. -sk

Click here to read more insights from America's children.