ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 2, 1996 TAG: 9602020019
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HOPEWELL
SOURCE: Associated Press
Leon Mason decided to take his concerns about drugs, crime and teen pregnancy straight to the top: He wrote a letter to President Clinton.
Three months later, the eighth-grader got his reply - a personal letter from the president.
``When I got the response back, I was very happy,'' said Mason, 14, a student at Carter G. Woodson Middle School. ``I thought it was going to take forever because he is very busy.''
Mason, who lives in public housing, asked Clinton's advice on how to deal with drugs, violence, gangs and teen-age pregnancy.
``Because of my beliefs, I have been made fun of, teased, joked on and even hit. I work hard to live a proper, education-filled life, but as the days pass, it becomes harder and almost impossible to do. I don't want to fail, and I will not allow myself to fail, but at times I really wonder if it's worth all the trouble,'' Mason wrote.
In his Jan. 19 response, Clinton wrote, ``I hope that you will remain strong and believe in your own ability to make positive change. And don't give up on your own dreams.''
George Cartin, the volunteer tutor who helped write the pupil write the letter, said White House staff members told him Clinton's letters are screened and some are picked for his personal response.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB