Were you never a child? Have you never made a mistake? Can’t you imagine the punishment and public embarrassment that these kids have already suffered?

My 17-year-old daughter said, “Why are they doing this? We are just kids! Whatever happened to ‘it takes a village to raise a child’? The town media is an integral part of this village.” To make news and gossip of children for their mistakes is not only shameful, but reeks of yellow journalism!

These are good kids who train hard, contribute locally and whose families are active citizens of this community. Why the Herald chose to pick on the number 9th ranked team in the country is a mystery. You owe our entire Durango High School cross country team, the coaches, the athletes, and their parents a public apology!

Barbara Belanger

Durango