Safe Grad Night

It may seem a bit early, but a group of parents are already hard at work getting ready for graduation night festivities for the class of 2024.

Safe Grad Night is a celebration for the graduating high school seniors and has become an island tradition. This culminating event offers our seniors a celebratory way of gathering together (maybe for the last time) as a class in a safe, sober and fun way immediately after the graduation ceremony.

We want to make sure that this event is financially accessible to every Vashon graduating senior, whether from on or off-island, including those who attend an off-island school or StudentLink. To that end, a variety of fundraising events are being planned that will take place over the school year to support this event.

Generous support in the past has been provided by parents and local businesses, including Ace Hardware, Island Lumber, Thriftway, McIntyre Construction, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Vashon Liquor Store, Fair Isle Animal Clinic and others.

As in the past, the details of this event will be kept super-secret to preserve the element of surprise for the seniors. What we can tell you is that we have a plan that will make for a fun, memorable night.

We will again be partnering with Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA) — a local non-profit concerned with the health and wellness of youth, whose mission is to reduce and prevent underage drug use by engaging, educating, and empowering all sectors of our community. VARSA will provide critical and timely administrative support along with a place where tax-deductible donations can be made.

To make a donation or for further information, please visit safegradnight.org.

Paul Tegenfeldt

FLAG DISPLAY

Following guidelines shows respect

“Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it’s illuminated during darkness. The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.”

This is a direct quote from the official Guidelines for Displaying the US Flag. It is good to see the flag of the United States flying along Vashon’s highways, on its headlands, and on vessels on the Salish Sea. Pride in our country is not something that should be limited to party or religion, and there is much to honor and support.

But to do so in ways that dishonor our flag — the very symbol of this country — is disrespectful. It is much more than a jolly holiday pennant, flapping in the breeze to lift spirits. Please consider this when displaying the US flag, and please remedy those cases where no nighttime light is provided or the flag is not made for all kinds of weather.

It is as if one leaves it alone, there, in the dark and storm, which is the opposite of what is meant by its display.

Debbie Butler