MEHS Invitational
Dear Editor: I would like to thank all who supported the 11th annual Mt. Edgecumbe Invitational Basketball Tournament last week. Twenty-five teams from around Alaska participated in the four-day event. We had a great number of spectators and record number of games played. All of the proceeds from the tournament go directly back to MEHS activities.
Thank you to our local sponsors: Schmolck Mechanical, Westmark Sitka, Sitka Bottling, Sitka CHARR, Silver Bay Seafoods and Sitka Referees Association.
Thank you also to all of our volunteers – Keith Perkins, Rose Demmert, Linda Blakenship, Kathy Hope-Erickson, Nick Olney-Miller, Ingfrid Olney-Miller, Judy Gangle, Sam Martin, Hillary Martin, Gene Bartolaba, Chuck Haskins, Bryn Calhoun, Kurt Kuhne, Terry Friske, Rod Nutting and Dr. Gil Truitt for volunteering many hours on and off the court. Thank you also to the MEHS students and staff that worked extra-long hours to help produce a great event.
Again, thank you for supporting MEHS and our students.
Andrew Friske, MEHS
Residential/Activities Principal
Fish Program
Dear Editor: The children and staff of Wooch.een Preschool send out a huge “Gunalchéesh,” “Háw’aa,” and “Thank You” to our local fishermen, Seafood Producers Cooperative and Sitka Sound Seafoods for donating nutritious local fish for our lunches through the Fish to Schools Program. Healthy food is essential for growing healthy kids, which helps further our mission to nurture families and their children. We are so grateful for this gift from the sea!
Angela Hill, Lead Teacher
Tlingit and Haida Head Start - Sitka
Speaking Up
Dear Editor: Many of us have felt helpless in the fast pace of current events. For most of my life I have believed that my major duty as a citizen was to vote. However, I have occasionally written letters to Congress when I was passionate about a subject. The events last year have changed my viewpoints.
I made a resolution to become more of a part of what happens in this country. To this end, I decided to set aside some of the time I usually spend on Facebook or some other like activity and comment at least once a week on something that will be happening over the next week in government at some level. I know that I am just a small voice, but like in the book ‘‘Horton Hears a Who,’’ if we band together our voices could be heard.
So, I am asking that if you have a strong opinion on something that is happening now or next week in Congress, the state or local government, that you set aside a few minutes and let your voice be heard. Even a short comment could have an effect. It is easy to find emails for our City Assembly, our state senators, or members of Congress. I admit that this is a selfish request. I know that eventually, if the people I am emailing only hear from me, that my effect will be diminished. However, if they hear about different subjects from many people perhaps it would be perceived as a change to an engaged citizenry. I know that there are many passionate, knowledgeable people whose voices should be heard. I am hoping that you will take the step and join me in whatever way you can to improve our democracy. If we are silent our views can also be silenced.
Connie LaPerriere, Sitka
