For the last 4 years, as evidence has grown that the death penalty system in this country is rusted through, death penalty supporters have held one person aloft as the shining example of why we "need" capital punishment in this country: Timothy McVeigh.

When Julie Marie Welch enrolled for her freshman year at Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City, she registered for classes in German, Latin, and Spanish. Her freshman adviser reminded her that the school also offered classes in math, science, and history, to name a few, but Julie was intent on studying languages. During her sophomore year, she went to Spain as an exchange student, and as a junior and senior she added French and Italian to her course load.