(Editor’s note: The following letters have been submitted by students at Escalon High School as part of a class project to outline a topic that concerns them and offer suggestions on ways to address it.)
Promoting Main Street revitalization
Dear Editor,
I hope this message finds you well. As a dedicated student of Escalon, I am writing to propose a comprehensive revitalization of Main Street to transform it into a vibrant community hub that attracts residents and visitors alike. Currently, the area lacks the energy and appeal needed to draw foot traffic, which is essential for supporting our local businesses.
To enhance the attractiveness of Main Street, I suggest creating incentives for local shops and restaurants to invest in their storefronts. Attractive displays and outdoor seating can create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to linger, dine, and shop. Additionally, we could implement a “Shop Local” campaign to promote our unique businesses, highlighting their offerings through social media and community outreach.
A significant opportunity lies in the underutilized car shops along Main Street. I propose exploring options to repurpose some of these spaces for more community-focused businesses, such as cafes, more creative stores, possibly even art galleries. This transformation could create a more diverse shopping and dining experience, attracting a broader range of visitors and fostering a sense of community.
Moreover, offering support for small businesses through workshops on customer service, marketing strategies, and financial planning can empower them to thrive in today’s competitive environment. A collaborative approach with local business owners could lead to creative marketing initiatives, such as loyalty programs and joint promotions that encourage customers to explore multiple shops and restaurants.
By focusing on these initiatives, we can transform Main Street into a lively destination that reflects Escalon’s unique character while promoting economic growth and community spirit. I believe that a revitalized Main Street will enhance the quality of life for residents and attract visitors, ultimately benefiting our local economy.
I look forward to discussing this proposal further and exploring how we can work together to bring these ideas to fruition. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Luca Cerasi
Driving off-campus lunch
Dear Editor,
Students with vehicles and a license should be able to drive off campus to have lunch. Lots of students go off campus to eat their lunch but it’s the same thing every day with the few walking distance options students have. We should allow students to drive to the close distances in Escalon to purchase lunch they want.
What benefit will come from this? Well this can teach students the valuable skill of time management for coming back to school on time and making it to class. This can create a mature growth towards a student. If a student doesn’t get back to school on time they will face a tardy and a penalty. This can also help places that are walking distance limit the amount of students that crowd their shops. This could also be useful for students who live nearby to eat in their homes or grab their lunch. Allowing students to go off campus will not only be beneficial for the community by educating a student in a more real life skill. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Soraya G. Aguayo
Drunk driving
Dear Editor,
Drunk driving is a real problem. There was over 200,000 DUI-related crashes in California which resulted to over 280,000 people injured and more than 4,000 people killed just in 2023 alone. There has been a lot of people I know that have been in accidents and badly injured because of drunk drivers. People need to stop drunk drivers and report it right away. Don’t let your family members or friends drink and drive it could cause them or others to get badly injured or possibly die from it. About 11,000 people die every year in drunk driving crashes. Drunk driving is still one of the biggest threats to public safety. In 2021, 1,370 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, accounting for nearly a third of all traffic deaths in California (32 percent). This is why we need to stop drink drivers.
Sincerely,
Max Gonzalez
