The students of Summit Academy are concerned with the fate of the Merry Maple celebration as well as the tree. We the younger generation of the Amherst school system have grown up with the cider, the tree-lighting, the friendly and polite people. The Merry Maple is one of the highlights of our year. Everything about the Merry Maple and the celebration around it is very heartwarming and brings our community together, no matter what our age, race, ethnicity or religion.
We are saddened to see the Merry Maple go. A recent article by Scott Merzbach seems to suggest that the plan is to ax the Merry Maple and replace it with a parking lot. Is this true? What are the plans for future Merry Maple celebrations, and where will they take place? Will the Merry Maple be replaced?
Perhaps the town could take a seedling and plant it as a memorial to the Merry Maple. Maybe the old Merry Maple can be used for town-wide Halloween bonfire, or perhaps we could save a chunk of the old tree and put it in Town Hall.
So, we are writing to respectfully request that those who see this letter be mindful of the environment and protect this joyous, multicultural holiday celebration.
Summit Academy students (and the Lorax)
Jennifer Chylack, Journalism Teacher, Summit Academy
Amherst