Venice High

Many students here at Venice High School are disappointed in “Bowling Over Competition and the Odds” (May 7). The fact that Venice’s team won the National Science Bowl Championship--for the second year in a row--is not a fluke. Venice consistently places high in the Academic Decathlon, and a high percentage of Venice students go on to four-year colleges and universities.

In addition to our formidable science department, Venice houses a foreign language and international studies magnet. We can’t think of a more appropriate home for such a school. Give it a rest. The majority of students at Venice spend their time enjoying the diverse cultures in the area, not erupting in gang violence. Venice is a wonderful microcosm of the greater Los Angeles area.

“Not bad,” you say. With all that goes wrong in Los Angeles, why not celebrate when something really good happens? And, by the way, Mr. Erdman teaches chemistry, not biology. You would never make it on the Venice science team.

MEG SCHEDING, VANESSA

YOUNG, LEAH ABELES

SARA HERNANDEZ

JANELLE LEWIS, students