Matt Tully's Columns

Today in journalism class, we read some columns by Indianapolis Star columnist Matt Tully. They dealt with a high school in the Indianapolis are called Manual High School. In the first columns we read, Tully gave background information and overwhelming statistics about Manual. These statistics included graduation rate, which was only in the upper 30 percent range, and the fact that the school is at rock bottom compared to other schools in the state in test scores. Tully also explained how many of the students face poverty and many tough situations domestically. I was completely shocked by these horrifying statistics. In the second column, Tully told about a boy named Brent who attends Manual. Brent was separated from his mother when he was an infant because she had a struggle with drugs and other problems. He was taken care of all of his life by his by his mother's friend, but as he got older, he faced disadvantages because of the lack of legal documentation on file. He could not get a driver's license, get a job, or apply for college. After much research, Tully was able to reach Brent's biological mother and reunite them at last. Their meeting was filled with emotion by everyone involved, but everybody was so happy that everything was going to work out in the end. Matt Tully's columns were very good and packed full of great statistics and newsworthy information. I would definitely recommend that people read his columns because they are very moving.