College Is a Must

In a few days I will be trying to persuade potential dropouts in a high-risk area to remain in high school and graduate. I am a volunteer from a large company that believes education can make a difference. The company has set up a program called “Youth Motivation Task Force.”

Now I read in your editorial (“A Clearer Look at Our Homeless,” March 5) some very disturbing and shocking statistics regarding the homeless of Orange County. A recent survey disclosed that nearly two-thirds finished high school and one quarter had some college education. On the surface it suggests, at least in this survey, that there were no college graduates (among) the homeless.

What all this means to me is that not only does one need a high school diploma, but in today’s environment a college degree is required in order to get a decent-paying job. A high school diploma is no longer sufficient to prepare any student for the complex, technological, and economic environment we all live in today.

I only hope I am able to convince even one kid of that fact.

BENNY WASSERMAN

La Palma