Dec 18

Written by:
12/18/2008 12:56 PM 

A tour of the high school has changed my attitude but not my opinion. I was asked to take the tour in hope I would change my condemnation of the planned rebuild. The school is indeed in terrible shape, both meanings. But I was not prepared for the impact of an hour spent in the presence of the students. Sensing their vigor was almost a physical blow. Yes, they deserve better, but no, it is wrong to do that before addressing a completely different matter. There is a dark underside to our high school.

The only manifest sign is too many cars in the parking lot. Not evident is what I hear about antisocial action. Together these form a picture of youth and adults not together engaged in living. We adults consume too much and ignore responsibility. Youth responds by pushing limits. A result is that we waste the gift of student vigor.

This is a serious loss because urgent action is needed starting now on readying Vashon for the national upheaval beginning in 2009. No adult organization is stepping up, possibly excepting outfits like the Backbone Campaign and our churches. No, without reservation, it is our high school students who have the vigor and freedom from baggage needed to act. Here then: the students could take on the job, completion date June 2009, of charting a path back through 200 years from a consumer culture to living on the sun, water and land we are so fortunate to have. Let our ferry umbilical wither, and energy costs soar, we might just make it.

(Sent to the Beachcomber Dec 12)