Editor,

While attending the fifth grade graduation celebration at Riverdale Elementary School in Courtland, Virginia, on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, I was totally shocked at the lack of RESPECT shown toward the principal and graduating class!

The principal had many awards to distribute. One such award was the President’s Education Awards Program for Outstanding Academic Excellence. This award is given to elementary students of all races, to reward their educational achievements.

Prior to presenting the awards, the principal was booed by many so-called “adults,” when she announced the awards were from President [Donald] Trump.

A total and complete lack of respect was shown by many individuals in the audience.

The end result was the principal could not read the letter of presidential commendation to her fifth grade graduating students.

The people that booed are obviously part of the problem America faces today, and clearly NOT part of the solution.

Peter Helms

Franklin