AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 11, 1997 -LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dry grad hotly debated — Dear Sir: - Iwas saddened and disappointed to rcad Shirley Mont- gomery’s May 14th letter ‘Parent doubts dry grad...”’ Saddened that she may have done a lot of damage to the _good work of your dry grad committce. Disappointed that “while she presented herself as caring she chose to criticize “publicly from the sidelines rather than take the effort to ‘leam the facts and find a way to help ensure that Tertace’s dry grad will be a success for all graduates, There is no doubt that most of our students make good decisions about their behaviour, however we know that many do not, Sadly, graduation time, as well as other spe- cial holidays, is often mamed by tragedies based i in young people abusing drugs and alcohol. Dry grad parties across the province are supported by ICBC, BCAA and other large organizations. I believe that in many communities fewer and fewer organizations are prepared to be involved in so called ‘'safc’’ grads where open alcohol use by minors is accepted, Dry grad provides an opportunity for all graduates to ‘celebrate together without the interference of drug and al- "cohol abuse. Those who feel the need to use alcohol in °their parlying can and will find opportunities to do so be- “fore and after the official grad. However, during dry grad they can all celebrate together “without the fights, illness and stupidity that often ac- *‘companies drinking parties. I have had the pleasure of participating as an adult worker in three dry grads, and am involved in the prepara- “tion of this year’s. I have been amazed al the crealivity and _ energy with which parents have prepared successful dry “grads over six years in our community, and at the * tremendous enjoyment the graduates have. * Over the years, participation at our parties has exceeded 95 per cent and the grads stay until dawn. 2 ‘She suggests that dry grad will be boring for these young “adults. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A good dry grad will have a variety of innovative entertainment and activities that will appeal to all the grads, regardless of their personality and interests. Graduation is approaching rapidly, I encourage ail grad parents to contact their dry grad committee and find a way to help ensure that your celebration will be a great success for all. Provide your graduates a ‘‘Night to Remember,” not a night to regret. Don Carlyle Kitimat Dry Grad 97 Parents’ Committee Dry grad does work Dear Sir: I graduated from M.E.S,S. (Kitimat) in 1991, and that year was unique because it was the first time that anyone had proposed a ‘‘dry grad” for our graduation party. I still remember to this day how my friends and I were talking about it: instead of spending thousands of dollars booking a location to get drunk in, providing security for that location, involving police officers and community volunteers in keeping the peace, and keeping the am- bulances on call to pump stomachs, all that precious money was used for (and get this) the purchase of among other things a used car, a microwave, a VCR, and dozens of gift certificates 10 local-businesses. sa, om a We embraced theides-of a dry grad that year:because’ even at the young ae of 17-18, we realized What a colos- sal waste of time and money it would be to have a big “*piss-up’ ’ for our going away party, It made no sense since we could have our own private little get-togethers (with or without alcohol) after our ‘‘dry grad’’ anyway. Don’t get me wrong Ms. Montgomery. I too drank al- BC Special Olympics is pleased to announce that Mr. Collin Kemble, of Mission B.C. was the lucky winner of Special Olympics’ 1997 Automobile Raffle. The money raised through this raffle will help send our Terrace athletes to Coquitlam for the ‘97 Summer Games. Our thanks to those who supporied this endeavor. that’s as unique , Oe ds. H Professional: hait products designed especially for men. Choose from a selection of Shampoo's, Conditioners, Shave Creams, Lotions and Bars by ICON, CREW. & MONT SOURCE 635-3729 4711D KEITH AVE. Give Dad a Gif HAIR GALLERY|f ‘cohol while in high school and attended all the parties and flings while growing up in Kitimat. But is it so much to ask our grads — the future leaders of our country — to abstain from drinking one lousy night so that the school and the community can get involved with the celebrating in a sober, joyful manner? Please don’t influence our grads here in Terrace with your ‘‘stand-up-for-your-rights” attitude, There is nothing underhanded or despicable about this city wanting our graduating class of 97 to have a night of celebration that will truly be something to remember. And nobody will remember a single thing about grad night if they’re getting so drunk that they’ re blacking out halfway through. Ted Sfikas Terrace, B.C. Safety first and foremost Dear Sir: Joe Barbossa of the Kinsmen Club of Terrace took my last letter to mean that I berated the Dry Grad Committee and promoted drinking at Grad 97, Mr. Barbossa, nothing could be further from the truth. I realize the legal drinking age in BC is 19, can you tell me what the legal drug age is, what about the legal gambling age? Just because laws are out there does not mean laws are not being broken. I am a realist. If this happens, why should innocent people be made to pay and that is why [ wholeheartedly support a safe grad? I also support the idea of promoting having fun without drinking. But there is a big difference between promoting and demanding. You asked how I could write honestly about a subject when I don’t know the whole story, and accused me of ut- ter disregard of the after prad parents’ committee. I know the whole story only too well. The word ‘“Dry”’ is just a word. Why could this not have simply been Grad 97? Why did it need a label? As soon as you labeled it Dry Grad, the emphasis was taken away from the achievements of our students. The dry grad committee was then put in the spotlight I am not here to honor what the Dry Grad Committee has achieved but rather what our graduates have achieved. I repeat, I do not promote drinking at grad 97, [ promote safety. I stand by my statement that the “‘handful of parents’’ have done a lot of good work organizing this event, and that there are many good events and ideas planned for the evening. I also stand by my statement that they have taken it too far and placed too many rules and regulations on the event. What consideration of our graduates’ feelings have been shown? Herding them like a bunch of sheep from the REM Lee lo the arena, not allowing them to ride with their families or go home to get changed (they are ‘“‘permitted”’ to bring a change of clothes to the arena) does not show trust or respect towards our graduates or their parents. My daughters are told that if they ride to the arena with me they will be refused access to their own graduation celebration, Tell me again Joe, is this a celebration for our giads or control for the dry grad committee? .» I do.ask all of the graduation class to attend this-event, It “js your graduation. Itis your might. Go out.there:and have ‘fir. “A lot hasbeen planned for you and you deserve it. Your responsibility as young adults will shine through, and all of us parents will know it is your maturity that led to a safe grad. Shirley Montgomery Terrace, B.C. Proudly Presents... Sey COMEDY CABARET Featuring VANCOUVER COMEDIANS GORDY VAN Pam Ludwar & Karen Hoskins Pance to the Sounds of GORDY VAN’S BAND Saturday June 21 Doors Open § p.m. Thornhill Community Centre Only $15 per person Tickets available at WAYSIDE GROCERY * MOHAWK * GROUND WORKS COFFEE ‘Must he 19 years & older with special guests RUMOUR RED FRIDAY, JULY 4TH Terrace Civic Arena Doors 8 pm * Dancing 9:15 pm - 1:45 am * No Minors Tickuts $21.00 In advance only at Sight & Sound In the Skeana Mall an oie yi] “Lone You called it “COOL” Then you called it “) HABIT” Now is ©. ‘on ADDICTION” Cd I's time t6’call it QUITS. BRITISH COLUMBIA LUNG ASSOCIATION " Box 34009, Station D Vancouver, B.C. V6 4M2 Phone: 731-5864 or |-800-665-LUNG - a Thank-You The Caledonia Sec. Golf team would like to thank the following sponsors for their much appreciated sponsorship to support us in the B.C, High School Provinclals. 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