Encouraged by Rosie Zhou

I read the essay by eighth-grader Rosie Zhou (Voices, April 13) and am encouraged that some of our young people are doing much more than playing video games and trying to emulate the latest Hollywood fashion.

Her essay showed a depth of knowledge of our country’s history and an awareness of the world that both surprised me and gladdened my heart. I want to congratulate her teachers at Chase Middle School for creating an environment where children are encouraged to learn, think and put into words ethical thoughts that will carry them on through life.

I come from a Jewish family that escaped the pogroms of Russia in the late 1800s. This country welcomed immigrants then and indeed was much greater for it. We have had many dark episodes in our past (Japanese internment camps, black segregation, denial of entry of Jews, etc.), but we have learned and opened our minds to a greater understanding of what our country actually stands for.

I see hope for our future when I read essays from someone like Rosie.

Ron Rudnick

Liberty Lake