DR. WALLACE: Our school board is thinking of making public service a requirement for graduation starting next school year. I don't like this idea. I thought school was to learn, not to do public service. Let the people on welfare do public service to earn their free handouts. I'm only 14 years old. — Upset, Somewhere in Texas.

UPSET: You certainly have strong feelings on this subject, and I'm sure they're yours alone, arrived at after serious research and intense reflection and internal debate — and that you're not merely regurgitating what other people have spouted off in your presence. If that were the case, I'd have to consider you totally misguided, and just the sort of person who needs to learn the lesson public service can teach!

Many communities, as well as states, consider public service an important part of the education process and ask students to perform such rewarding duties as tutoring, mentoring, volunteer work, etc., to fulfill their graduation requirement. Personally, I like the idea.

YOUR SISTER DID NOT ABANDON YOU

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and have a twin sister. We are fraternal, not identical. You can tell we are sisters, but we don't look the same. My twin met a guy at a party (I didn't go) and now she has little time for me. We used to spend all our free time doing things together, but now she is always with him or talking to him on the phone. When she does talk to me, it's always about Benjamin.

Every night I pray that he would move far away. I'm sure you think twins are supposed to be close, but now you know that they often are not. — Cheryl, Santa Ana, Calif.

CHERYL: While I understand your frustration, I suggest you redirect your prayers. When boys enter the picture, they do play havoc among best friends, even when the best friends are twin sisters. But I promise, you'll live through this.

Your sister didn't abandon you. She's just waiting for you to also find a guy, so you can be a foursome.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DIE

DR. WALLACE: You recently wrote a column about how teens, though they are capable of being good drivers, too often get involved in serious accidents because of their youthful exuberance and lack of driving experience. Oh, how I wish my friend had read your column!

Several years ago, five young adults were killed on a freeway in Southern California when their automobile went out of control and plunged down a 75-foot embankment. A spokesman for the California Highway Patrol said the victims were trying to catch up to two cars in front of them filled with friends. Witnesses told police the cars were weaving in and out of traffic at speeds up to 100 mph. After the accident, the cars in front stopped. One boy, cradling his head in his hands, said, "We really messed up!"

The local superintendent commented at the memorial: "Young people have a particularly hard time because this doesn't happen to them. Young people are not supposed to die. But, sadly, they do." — Sad Friend, Southern California.

FRIEND: Unfortunately, what the superintendent said was true.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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