To the Editor:

As my senior year is coming to a close in less than nine weeks, the Pilgrim Political Involvement Club (PIL-PI-RI) has concluded and is retiring from Pilgrim High School this week. While this is indeed sad news, I personally had to make this challenging decision due to the gravity of what is before me in less than three months; graduating from Pilgrim and going to college at Roger Williams University this fall for Legal Studies.

When I was in my Sophomore year as Class President, I knew that someone or somebody needed to create a club/organization that would encompass a meeting space for teens to get together and digest the biggest topics of the day, discuss them, offer various points of view and try to come to a better big-picture understanding of those issues. I also told my fellow club members to think of this classroom as a precursor to a typical college classroom where everyone has a voice and it is a safe environment. I hoped before starting the club that I would able to bring state senators and representatives into the school to help facilitate discussions and further drum up interest in political dialogue among the students. I successfully delivered my vision, with notable distinction, to the Pilgrim High School community.

Over 22 students signed up and participated in the club during the past two years; I say thank you all. I also would like to say thank you to all of our guest speakers who participated in our roundtable discussions and brought your energy to the classroom. I know that I can speak for all of the students: you inspired them. I do hope more clubs like Pil-PI-RI will spark and form across the state, and across the country.

One of my most favorite quotes is this: "Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark." – Jay Danzie

Zachary J. Lafontaine

Warwick