Continued from Page A13 statement by saying “if you are feeling pressured toward going to a dry after-grad, then be there.” My intentions in writing this : letter were not to offend anyone, ‘but to try and defend the views and actions of the present and past graduates of Parkland School. If any parents of students would like @io talk to me about my past experiences, they should feel free to contact me to discuss them. Tony Sonosky Sidney li’s a question of respect Editor: The argument over a dry grad or a wet grad is a shame. It has divided the Parkland grad class and the community and for all the @ wrong reasons. We have lost sight of what a graduation celebration is all about. Graduation from high school is @ an achievement. It is a time when we should give our young people a hug and a handshake, congratulate ™ them for all their hard work and } wish them success in an increas- : Boly complex world. I think there is no other time in life when the feeling of growing up is quite as strong. It is the time : they will need to be able to make good decisions based on real sound judgment. That is really what all these years of preparation and schooling have meant to achieve. So, the issue that the Parkland grad class of 1990 is fighting for is really respect. Do we treat them with respect and hope that they will exercise reasonable judgment while having fun, or do we tell them how to behave and bribe them to spend the night dry? Does it matter that they learn to handle these decisions every other night? Alcohol is not the evil itself. It is the misuse of alcohol that none of us want these young people to be the victim of. They have worked very hard to plan an evening in which the whole class can party and be safe. Their perspective on the situation is from inside the class, and they are trying to be realistic.. Having another party planned for them has alienated and insulted them and their intentions. Now there will never be a Parkland grad 1990 party that all the grads attend and remember. What they will remember is that some in this community do not believe in their good intentions or respect their honest and realistic viewpoint. But I know I am joined by many parents when I say I do. I respect their hard work, I hope they have a great time graduation night and that their independent decision making abilities continue to mature. Those are the qualities that make responsible citizens of all of us. The best of luck to you, 1990 Parkland’s grads, from a parent of two former Parkland grads, one 1990 grad and two more fo come. Lynne Armstrong Victoria TheReview Wednesday, May 30,1990 — A15 LOOKING LIKE Charlie Chaplin is Parkland Dance Company member Kevin Smith with Alynn shanks and Lesley Bennef?t, ready for three performances, tonight, tomomow and Friday. Over 100 company members are involved in the 13-number production with the help of school choirs and special gues artists, the Veselka Dancers. DISHWASHER PERSON Required at Sidney Seafood House. Phone between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p:m. 656-7666 CONGRATULATIONS! sembled by lan and Taro. MEL COUVELIER, MLA for Saanich and The Islands congratulates lan Kirkpatrick and Taro Gurney from Mt. Newton Middle School. lan and Taro placed first in the All-Canada Science Fair. Shown here is the award-winning mechanical hand designed and as- STAT Sr GUARANTEES THE LOWEST PRICES Levolor Blinds OFF MSRP 40% PRICES IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 6th 20 ae sells for less! DECORATING CONSULTATION BY OUR HIGHLY TRAINED. REPRESENTATIVES SHOP AT HOME SERVICE. JUST CALL. WE'LL GLADLY BRING SAMPLES TO YOUR HOME TRAMPOLINES CALL NOW FOR SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICES "rent 656-2070 "RENT - SIDNEY — 103-9810 7th Avenue 6§55- 4858 Mariners Mall Experience the difference at United =_=— 3 CARPET ’ SUNDANCE TRAMPOLINES — FREE ONE-WEEK RENTAL BOOK ONE MONTH RENTAL AND RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL MEEK FREE! ONE COUPON PER CUSTOM LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE — RESERVE YOUR TRAMPOLINE TODAY!