To the Editor:

Congratulations, Melissa Hale-Spencer!

I re-read the editorial you wrote, “Ignoring child victims is easy, absorbing truth is hard,” after learning you received the Society of Professional Journalists award for editorial writing.

That piece shines a light on the dark and tacitly sanctioned sexual abuse so often excused by those who should be appalled but are, in fact, complicit: those who would rather believe the lies of a predatory teacher, priest, Boy Scout leader, politician, uncle, and on and on, over the anguish and evident trauma of the children they abuse.

It also supports the courage of a student who spoke up and put her compassion for others into action, so that they might be spared being assaulted by the same perpetrator, Tod Mell.

The piece is emblematic of your willingness to tackle important, real-life issues that need the latitude of an editorial to fully address.

Once again, an award for your work and leadership in our exceptional local newspaper, The Altamont Enterprise.

Thank you and a big thumbs up!

Dianne Sefcik

Westerlo