I am a 12-year-old girl who lives in your town of State College. I am writing this letter because I think that State Patty's Day is not as fun for me, my neighbors, and the people I know as it may be for you. My little brothers and I have lived in town since I was 4, so we have seen many years of State Patty's Day.
I think this event gives a bad impression of our town. On this day, there are students getting drunk all over town all day and not respecting their neighborhood. I have seen lots of kids on the roofs of their houses in bathing suits in March, and I have seen kids wandering around town lost because they had so much to drink they did not know where they were.
I also think that this day is a bad influence on kids my age because we want to grow up to be just like the college kids we see, and it is basically telling us that college is all about getting drunk and partying.
On regular days, My friends and I are allowed to go downtown ourselves, but on State Patty's Day I don't feel safe going into town to the library or even into my own backyard. I also have a neighbor who lives alone, and she does not feel safe to go out of her own house on that day.
Having the college kids drunk and yelling wakes me up at night. Also, because I am Irish, I don't like the stereotype this day puts out about Irish culture being all about drinking. It's not.
I hope that you keep this letter in mind and think a little bit about how your actions affect your neighbors and the image of your town.
Katie Maguire
Age 12, State College
