Sixth graders' activism pushes bill through Legislature
By STACEY PALEVSKY, Courier Staff Writer

WATERLOO --- Until recently, Iowa was one of three states in which dog fighting was not considered a felony offense. Then came Mrs. Jan Flanagan's sixth-grade class at St. Edward School. Without any instruction from their teacher, the sixth-graders wrote letters to Iowa representatives asking them to approve bill SSB3086, which if passed would classify animal fighting as a felony. Because of the 12-year-olds' passionate plea, Iowa will join the 47 other states that classify animal fighting as a felony.

"They really learned how to be involved even not being voting age," Flanagan said. "Just because they're children doesn't mean they don't have a voice."

The class became interested in animal rights when it started a service-learning project with the Cedar Bend Humane Society. The sixth-graders collected pet accessories from St. Edward's students and parents. The students also organized a bake sale and raised more than $100 for the Humane Society.

While working on the project, the students heard about the dog fighting bill. Motivation quickly spread through the classroom, and the students unanimously decided they needed to take action.

They decided the best way to express their opinions would be through a letter-writing campaign. Flanagan did not require any student involvement; the students wrote letters on their own free will.

Several representatives wrote a personal reply to each student.

State Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Watertloo, even visited their classroom to thank them for their courage and veracity.

"We were very honored," Antonia Steins said.

"He said he was impressed and surprised we had the time and enthusiasm to do it," Lucy O'Connor chimed in. "He said it was a good way to help the community and Iowa."

To thank Flanagan's students, Maria Tiller of the Humane Society also delivered a personal thank you. Armed with certificates of achievement and candy, Tiller expressed gratitude for their youthful optimism.

"I think it's awesome that a group of 12-year-old children took the initiative even though they didn't know if it would make a difference," Tiller said. "Their hearts were always in the right place."

Flanagan hopes the experience will leave a lasting impression on her students. In her 16 years of teaching at St. Edward, she has always tried to instill a sense of purpose and compassion into her students. The letter-writing campaign and subsequent legislation is a milestone for that life lesson.

Already, some students are being more aware of the world around them. Steins and O'Connor said the experience has inspired them to be more aware of current events. They both recently started reading the newspaper on a regular basis. They admit to being disappointed by the slew of negative political advertising --- it would be the subject of their next letter to the editor.

"It makes a lot more impact when kids write than adults," Steins said.