Ian Smith is a critical component and friend to the KHS JROTC program being the Battalion S-2 officer. His lack of attendance to important meetings, against his will, has slowed progress for some 200 JROTC cadets in the entire school. Ian Smith shouldn't have been punished at all. He has been made out to be a threat to the school; However, I see him as innocent.

Last school year Ian Smith was unjustly remanded to the Alternative school. His 90 day sentencing has carried over into our current school year.

He is not serving his days in the Greenwood Complex; rather, he is being held in the "alternative classroom" within the school building. This is worse for him as he is subject to a socially degrading entrance, followed by a prolonged exposure to a single classroom with strict rules enforced.

Within JROTC, Ian is a prominent staff member and team commander. He is an integral part of our program yet has had to relinquish command of his two cherished teams as a result of this unjust punishment.

My friend is also suffering academically. The support systems simply are not in place for Ian to efficiently complete work for his numerous Advanced Placement and honors classes. More importantly, Ian is getting no instruction nor lectures. He is not learning the way he can/should be.

This sudden and long enduring turn of events has affected Ian and his family personally. Ian is subject to mental and physical degradation every day he returns to school. He feels hopeless and that the school system has blatantly failed him.

You need to help put an end to this cruel and unjust punishment of Ian Smith.

- Joshua Tworoger