Letters to the Editor

Furthermore, schools work hard to develop innovative classes with industry partners, and students have a hard time fitting these classes into their schedules if they are taking the courses required for the recommended plan. Yet these classes give students the much-lauded "real-world experience" we want them to have, as well as valuable career-exploration opportunities. Everyone involved in policymaking and counseling should encourage students to take meaningful elective classes. (I am obviously not talking here about spending three periods working in the school office instead of taking social studies.)

I think it is a disservice to students to encourage them to get the State Recommended High School Plan at the expense of more valuable elective classes. Beyond the basic classes required for graduation, students should be encouraged to take classes they enjoy that give them skills they'll use well beyond a few more facts and a few extra textbook quizzes.

Sheryl Stoeck
Houston

A Bigger, Better Burger
Robb Walsh honored for his ode to Texas hamburgers

Houston Press food writer Robb Walsh has been named a finalist in the International Association of Culinary Professionals' Bert Greene Awards competition.

Walsh was named one of three finalists in the newspaper category for "Texas Burger Binge," an account of his sampling of burgers across Texas combined with a history of burgers.

Each year the IACP honors outstanding food journalism in newspaper, magazine and Internet categories in its national competition. First-place winners will be announced in April.