To the Editor:

As a native of Princeton, I have been following the discussion around the renaming of the John Witherspoon Middle School (JWMS). I grew up in Princeton and attended both public and private schools. I raised four children here and they too attended a combination of the local public and private schools. 

I have been actively involved in both middle and high school athletics for 40 years as a  women’s field hockey and lacrosse umpire. I have traveled to many, many schools in Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Hunterdon counties. It has always been easiest to find and know what school it is you are going to if the name is short, concise, and self-explanatory, ie: Princeton High School; West Windsor-Plainsboro HS, North or South; Princeton Day School; Hopewell Valley Central High School; Lawrence High School, just to name a few. Often the middle schools are most confusing to find, because they have names that do not have the local town name in the title, ie: Grover, Timberlane, Grice to name a few. Sometimes it is necessary to know what school district you are working for. 

I support the decision of renaming JWMS, but oppose the suggestions of naming the school after another individual. In these times of heightened awareness and important conversations surrounding cultural diversity, educational equality, inequality, acceptance, respect, and the importance of understanding our national and local history, I recommend that the BOE and residents of Princeton vote to name the school exactly what it is: Princeton Middle School. There is only one “middle school” or “junior high” in the Princeton Public School system, so call it that. 

Surely this will avoid any future unrest around naming the school after an individual of ANY color. The Princeton Public School system is a wonderfully diverse community rich with culture. There are, have been, and will be, so many people that  positively impact the community over the years to choose just one. A Princeton Middle School welcomes and represents everyone.

Libby Hicks
Hillcrest Drive, Doylestown, Pa.