Chris Jackson/The Register-HeraldEthan Thomas, 10, a fourth grade student at Collins Middle School, reads a statement he prepared about his experiences at Collins recently and why he feels the school bond should be passed as Maragret Anne O'Neal assists him during a community meeting at Collins Middle School in Oak Hill on Thursday. "I am blessed to have a wonderful home where my mother provides a loving environment," he told the crowd. "However some of my friends aren't so lucky. they look forward to coming ot school so they can eat, feel loved and feel safe. How loved and safe do you think they feel when you argue about whether or not we are worth a new building? Well I am here to tell you we matter and we are worth it. Please help us so we can help ourselves. After all we are your future. We are counting on you to be our voice."