06:33 PM CST on Wednesday, March 29, 2006

By Wendell Edwards / 11 News

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Teachers in the Houston area have been tackling the immigration reform situation in the classroom.

KHOU-TV

instead of protesting in public, these students decided to put their argument down on paper.

They have been encouraging students to make their voices heard in a different way -- with pen and paper.

Some students at Pasadena’s Sam Rayburn High School are learning the living lesson in U.S. civics class.

Inside the advanced placement history class, junior Jillian Wiggen asked, “Why can’t you maintain your culture while living in America?”

“I think if you want to become a U.S. citizen, learn our language, get a job and do whatever you can to help us,” said junior Jenni Davis.

The 11^th graders said the fight against immigration reform has just begun.  A fight filled with fear.

“That my friends like will leave because I know a lot of people whose parents aren’t legalized citizens,” said Elissa Farmer, junior.

But instead of protesting in public, these students decided to put their argument down on paper.

It’s part of district-wide letter writing campaign.  Administrators came up with the suggestion and the students said they plan to follow through.

“I think we should all have a voice of opinion and we should do it in an organized manner,” said Christine Kramer, junior.

Administrators said the letter writing campaign began immediately.  Some classes already started writing.  

Students have been granted extended hours in the library for extra research time.  That means more time to put their thoughts on paper and get those letters to the people with the power to bring change.

“If you do know what you are saying you are pretty much protesting as long as you say it to the right people,” said Leslie Maza, junior.

“I think it’s good that kids are getting involved and standing up for what they believe in,” said Michael Ann Ebbecke, junior.

It’s not as if the protests aren’t symbolic in nature -- The students just believe the written word can be just as powerful.