Monday night’s display of the high school graduation was quite interesting, I must admit, as a former student, I enjoyed the opportunity to come back and see younger friends graduate, favorite teachers retire, and to relive all the festivities.

In years past graduation was always held inside with seniors lining up in the infamous Parker Hall, creeping their way around the school and through the field house. Colorful posters bearing warm wishes were plastered everywhere as their family and friends filled the free seats and cheered them on with a video screen. While everyone may have been squeezed in like sardines, people’s dresses, gowns, hats, and sashes were able to stay in place. The purple carpet runway wasn’t blown away, parents could see their children without binoculars, and the wonderful band was actually heard.

I understand this year was full of new beginnings and change, the most obvious being the new $6 million Wildcat Memorial Stadium. The district is proud of it, so it must be better than holding the graduation ceremony inside. Oh, that’s right, we live in Oak Harbor! In June, 60 degrees is a high. While students were given more tickets due to more seating, the rest who weren’t so lucky sat in the visitor seats, getting a lovely backside view of the event, without a video screen or good quality sound. I even heard a mother below me say, “Where is the music?” Graduation’s such a special time in our lives. We dream of the moment we can step onto the stage and have our name be called. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I hope whoever organized it was reminded of where we live. Just maybe, holding such a monumental occasion outside may not have been the most intelligent idea.

Chelsea Asplund

Oak Harbor

We, the members of Delta Tau a Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, would like to thank the following people and businesses that contributed to our Annual Relay For Life Bunco Fundraiser. Through their generosity the event was a huge success and we were able to meet our goal towards our Relay For Life team. Thank you to: Candy Bouquet, Captain Whidbey Inn, Captured Moments Photography, Concrete Nor’West, Dan Thomson at Pampered Chef Distributor, Dianne Daves, Henry Vasquez, DDS, Jazzbones, Joan Payne, Rhonda Wallace and Lin Sellgren at Salon on 20, Kim Olander of Mary Kay, Kyle Gonzales of Thrasher Tattoo, Mary Ann Fakkema Engle at Aflac Insurance, Mary Ann Gardner at Robin Dale Nursery, Midway Florist, Mike Weber at Mike’s Custom Stained Glass, Nancy Van Dam at Carla’s Shear Inspiration, Oak Harbor Cinemas, Pizza Factory, Tara Duerre of Lia Sophia Jewelry, Thrive Fitness, Time Wezeman, DDS and Zorba’s.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Delta Tau Sorority

I appreciated the article that covered the Oak Harbor High School graduation ceremony. However, one of the names under the picture is incorrect. Jenna Marin is the girl on the right, but I, Megan O’Neill, am the girl on the left, not Immah Harless. I understand that mistakes happen, but I don’t understand the confusion since we don’t look anything alike!

Thank you for reading my comments and I really did appreciate the article.

Megan O’Neill

Oak Harbor

Government lawyers told federal judges that the president can send the military into any U.S. neighborhood, capture a citizen and hold him in prison without charge, indefinitely.

“The president is not a king and cannot lock people up forever in the United States based on his say-so,” said Jonathan Hafetz, a lawyer who represents detainees. “Today it’s Mr. Marri. Tomorrow it could be you, a member of your family, someone you know. Once you allow the president to lock people up for years or even life without trial, there’s no going back.”

“Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free, and the home of the brave?”

Scott Vanderlinden

Oak Harbor

Banner waves,

but over what?

Airlines cutting many flights and raising lots of prices to fly. Dow Chemical announces they are raising prices on all of their products by 20 percent. Local businesses raising prices, including restaurants. County commissioners figuring ways to cost property owners with septic systems $200 and up for every year or so, plus in many cases, pumping costs which may not be needed in the first place.

Oil and gas prices, everyone knows how we are getting it in the end. All of this directed at the consumer, customer and taxpayer who is seeing a lot more going out than coming in.

Well, what happens? We say, “Hey, we could barely afford some of these things before, but now, we have to cut back.” So, a lot of people won’t fly. Many will quit buying many things. A lot will reduce the number of times they go to a restaurant. So many businesses, after raising prices, will actually lose money because of this cutback.

So, who wins? Nobody. Who loses? Everybody. A vicious circle, for certain.

Bill Gallagher

Coupeville

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