I am a sophomore at Albert Lea School. I am writing to address the issue in town about no having a hangout place for teens. I feel like something needs to be done. This could also help with teen problems in town, giving them a place to relax and rid of stress. Where else can kids go? There’s really no where to go with friends.

A place with music and food. Flexible hours to work around school. There is one place here, The Rock, but that doesn’t appeal to all people; it doesn’t to my friends and me. We’re always just getting together at one of our houses, but you can only do that so many times. We just need one place, that’s all.

I’m not sure what I could do personally, but I know there must be at least one person who could do something. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy, only to show teenagers that a party with drugs or drinking is not the only fun in town.

Calen Dudley

Albert Lea High School

English class

Albert Lea