My first ever letter to an editor.

I don't think I mention what town I'm from on my blog alot in fear of internet creepers. The time is past. I grew up in Deland, Florida. Anyways, recently, Dustin showed me an article that UF wrote about Deland:

http://www.alligator.org/sports/article_5b555186-039f-11e2-a896-001a4bcf887a.html

Please read it. Or at least the first half. I was a bit annoyed. I wrote a letter that explained my point and also voiced my annoyance quite clearly. Dustin proofread my letter, removed the annoyance, rewrote and added a few key passage. Below is our defense of our hometown.

In response to Friday’s article about Mike Gillislee running with purpose, I would first like to say that it’s good to see Mike acknowledged for his hard work. However, I am a bit offended by the portrayal of my hometown, DeLand, as inescapable and marked by dangers and daily perils. I realize that the negative representation came largely from another’s words, so I would like to take a moment and share some of mine.

I was sent this article by my brother, a UF alumnus. Both of us grew up in DeLand, attended DeLand High School, and went on to get college degrees. Our parents still live in DeLand, and my husband and I are planning on moving there one day. While there is a rougher part of town, it should not serve as a symbol of DeLand as a whole. The view that “everyone around the city does drugs” is far from the truth, and the idea that DeLand is inescapable only applies to those who don’t have the motivation to get up and leave.

For those who choose to stay, DeLand offers high school graduates the opportunity to attend a well-regarded university. Stetson University, founded in 1883, is located in downtown DeLand, and the campus is classified as a national historic district. Many of my friends attended Stetson, and some of them even chose to stay in DeLand to begin their careers, in spite of the “people around here that sell dope and shoot. It’s not the right place for anybody.” How unfortunate for them!

DeLand High School has an engineering academy and an International Baccalaureate Program, offering many opportunities for students to excel. Those who aren’t “A+ students” can attend Daytona State College, the local community college, and receive their AA degree before moving on to a university, as I’m sure many UF students do.

Being a Florida State University graduate, I am used to trash talk from University of Florida students. I have been hearing it since I first attended FSU in 2007. While I can at least understand why UF students like to poke fun at my choice of colleges, I am hurt to see my beautiful, friendly, quaint hometown misrepresented based on the words of one person whose part-time job at Captain D’s isn’t enough to get him out of the town to which I’m hoping to return.

I commend Mike Gillislee for making something of himself, and I am proud to say that I am from a town where people are given a shot at something greater, regardless of their circumstances.

Sincerely,

Andrea Kanis

I know Deland isn't perfect. But I am proud of my hometown. 


UPDATE:

I would also like you to read a letter written by my friend Kailey:

Dear Mr. Pincus,

DeLand. Seriously? Home of the historic liberal arts college, Stetson University? Sky-diving capital of the world? Proud film-set of The Waterboy??

Maybe you've just watched one too many episodes of The Wire (which is understandable, great show), or maybe you're just going off hearsay (which is less understandable, when interviewing NCAA athletes/cousins), but DeLand was probably not the town to pick for sensationalist depictions of "perils and dangers." 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Mike "found his way to Gainesville." 

I also found my way to Gainesville, where someone was shot in a student living apartment complex last year. Gainesville has a 2010 crime record of 6,325, including 4 manslaughters, 86 forcible rapes, and 617 aggravated assaults. Still, I count my blessings. I'm no longer in a town where people only, "sell dope and shoot."  Mike's cousin was articulate enough to get the message out about that. Preach it!

Don't get my wrong - I have no hard feelings here, Adam. I make fun of DeLand all the time for it's small-town quirks and awkward mesh of intellectuals and rednecks. But please. Take it from someone who grew up there: DeLand High's football practice field is next to a shop called "Buttercup Bakery."

Anyways, gotta run. Back to saving up enough money to get my helpless parents and younger sister out of that struggling hell-hole! 

Best Regards,

Kailey Moffatt