by Hadley Leonhardt
Dear South Carolina Department of Transportation,
I can no longer support the weight I bear. Each day my suffering intensifies. I feel worthless as I am run over every day by people who do not care about my dismay. I am one of the many roads of South Carolina, and I refuse to continue lying dormant.
My fellow road friends are disheartened and cannot muster up the courage to speak out. They fear the backlash that comes from those in a hurry. When my friends finally receive the attention they deeply long for from a construction crew, they face intense scrutiny. The sound of the loud horns blowing and the scowling faces of the inconsiderate humans terrify them. I can no longer stand the hypocrisy. These same humans are the ones who bully us for being too bumpy and unstable. How will we ever appease them? I have pondered this question for years and have come to a simple conclusion: it is impossible for us to do on our own. Nevertheless, I have decided to take these matters between my own two lines. I am going to prove these Homo Sapiens wrong. I know I am worthy of their fancy vehicles and strict schedules. However, I also know that the path ahead of me to confute these people will be just as rocky as myself. Therefore, I call out to you: Oh, powerful Department of Transportation – Help Me!
Not only is your assistance necessary, it’s vital! I am deteriorating faster than you could ever fathom. If you still refuse to believe me, I can assure you, my research is thorough and complete. According to World Population Review, South Carolina ranks forty-second nationally for road quality. This ranking clearly validates the neglect my fellow roads and I have endured; we are ashamed of this rank. Like the morning fog that impairs drivers’ vision, we hate how we bumpy roads blur the beauty of the great state of South Carolina. We want to be repaired and appreciated, adding to the beauty of our beloved home state, but we need to be acknowledged and believed in to do so.
Furthermore, we are sick of fostering an unsafe environment. We are covered with potholes, cracks, and fading lines. We are old and worn down. In addition to being physically exhausted, we are tired of the constant complaining and rage that takes place above us. At times we may seem bitter to you humans, but our bitterness is not accompanied by malicious desires. We aspire to promote an environment we can all be proud of. The first step in doing so is by making safety a priority. Helping restore us to our original state will begin to eliminate these dangerous conditions and traffic tantrums. We want to feel young and beautiful again while the drivers above us want to feel safe and calm. To achieve this satisfaction for everyone, we must realize that the feelings of the thousands of South Carolinians and tourists we host dictate our own.
South Carolina Department of Transportation, I implore you to look at us and make a change today. The improvement of our wonderful state starts with safer and more reliable roads, allowing for adequate transportation. To visit the stunning coast along North Myrtle Beach or the spectacular waterfalls of the Upstate, transportation on us is a necessity. The citizens and visitors of South Carolina need us – and so – we need you. Our improvement is a crucial part of the improvement of South Carolina as a whole. Fill our potholes and repaint our lines. Do not allow us to lie worthless and be a disservice to your citizens any longer. Improve us, and you will improve South Carolina.
Sincerely,
An exhausted and broken South Carolina Road.
About Hadley Leonhardt
Hadley Leonhardt is a senior at North Myrtle Beach High School, where Cathy Threatt was her AP English Language and Composition teacher. The daughter of Brandi and Brian Leonhardt, Hadley is vice president of her Interact Club, plays competitive softball, and enjoys helping others. She will be majoring in political science at the University of South Carolina, where she will be a member of the South Carolina Honors College. She wants to practice law.