Letters Letters (July 02, 2004)

Rose could speak on bad choices

Editor,

My heart goes out to Brendon Rose, Jed Bober and their families. It is clear that a few bad choices led to devastating effects for these men and their families. I also appreciated the perspective of the letter to the editor by "Name withheld" last week for reminding us of the constant pressure in our society for using violence to solve problems. I think our community would be better served if Brendon received a greatly reduced jail sentence combined with a program to send Brendon to speak at middle and high schools about his experience. Though it sounds unintentional, Brendon will have to live with the consequences of what he did to Jed Bober the rest of his life. Give him the opportunity to really reflect on that, and on the choices that led to the situation.

Not being present, I don't know the specific choices that led to the incident, but often brawling starts with decisions to consume alcohol, to be at an overcrowded party, to not leave when people seemed to be getting out of control, etc. If Brendon speaks honestly with our youth about the alternative choices he could have made at all the decision points on that fateful night, it has a much greater chance of protecting our youth from this sort of tragedy in the future than sending Brendon to prison for eight years. Meri McCoy-ThompsonGenovesio Drive Student blood drives

Editor,

We wanted to let you know about the wonderful students who donated blood to the American Red Cross during the 2003-04 school year. We collected more than 7,100 pints during 128 blood drives at 74 high schools throughout Northern California, including Amador Valley High, which collected 150 pints, and Foothill High, which collected 236. Thanks to these drives, well over 21,000 people may have received the gift of life, as each pint can help three people.

Students may have been late for class or even missed a class while they were donating blood. Gym classes may have moved outdoors because the gym was needed for the drive. But much like school itself, donating blood is part of a lesson in life. Giving blood is one of the most important, rewarding and compassionate things a person can do.

Student leaders and faculty advisors put a great deal of effort into organizing blood drives. By having them at high schools, students have the opportunity to donate with their peers, making it a less stressful atmosphere. Students who donate are more likely to donate later in life. Our goal is to make them life-long donors because only 2-3 percent of the residents of Northern California donate blood. Nationwide, the average is closer to 5 percent. More blood donors are desperately needed. High school and college blood drives account for 9 percent of the mobile blood drives we do, yet these students provide 10 percent of the blood needed in the Bay Area. Sara O'BrienAmerican Red Cross, Northern California Region Fan club for Weekly

Editor,

In the rush of completing the school year, we have been remiss in not telling you sooner what a boost it was to our entire school - students and staff - to be featured on the cover of your newspaper right after our 25th anniversary celebration (April 23).

We'd like to commend reporter Teresa Brown for doing an excellent job of capturing the joy of that event and the history of our alternative high school. She took the time to ask questions and listen to our stories. I think we walked away with every extra copy of that edition from your office, to make sure that everyone on campus got to see what a fine portrait you presented of our school. We even mailed copies to our guests from out of town, former students and staff members, so that they, too, could see our pride so accurately portrayed.

Undoubtedly your publication had a lot to do with the amazing success of our new venture, the Friends & Family of Village High School Fund. I am pleased to let you be the first newspaper to know that generous donors already have contributed over $7,000 to help us meet the needs of our students! We have been overwhelmed with this outpouring of support, including from the parent clubs of most of the other schools here in Pleasanton.

Thank you for caring enough to share what is special about our school and our mission to provide "new beginnings" to teenagers who need them. Your fan club is great here at Village High School! Dianne HowellPrincipal Grad Night thanks

Editor,

Graduates of the Class of 2004 of Amador Valley High School recently celebrated their graduation with an all-night "safe and sober" party. The parents of the graduates choose a theme, this year's being a tribute to our hometown, Pleasanton, and transformed the large gym as a surprise to the students. After entering the gym under a 16-foot-long illuminated Pleasanton Arch, the new graduates danced to the DJ under the Chan Henderson Pavilion at Wayside Park, ate ice cream at Meadowlark Dairy, played games of skill at the Alameda County Fair midway, tried out the mini-golf at Castlewood, took a trip down memory lane at the Museum On Main Street, enjoyed fine dining on Main Street, watched movies at Regal Cinema, tried their luck at the blackjack tables at Pastime Pool, and finally picked up their prizes at Stoneridge mall before the night came to a close.

The Grad Night celebration was attended by more than 90 percent of the graduates this year. This event is organized every year by a dedicated group of senior parent volunteers who work tirelessly for many months planning a memorable experience for the senior class. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the hundreds of parent volunteers, members of our local business community, and Amador's staff and administrators for their strong show of support and generous contributions. We could not have done it without you! As a member of the coordinating committee for the Amador Valley High School 2004 Senior Parents, it was truly a privilege to work with such incredibly talented, enthusiastic, and hardworking volunteers. Thank you, all! Colleen BotelhoRowell Lane Support McNerney

Editor,

I just saw an article about all the big PAC monies from special interest groups that our present Congressman receives. Fortunately Jerry McNerney (from Pleasanton) decided to run for this office. I judge that he will support the needs of the people of Pleasanton and this 11th Congressional District. By the way, Jerry even has a son in the military. Jerry can be contacted at 426-0201 or by e-mail at: jerry@jerrymcnerney.org. William EvansKemper Court

E-mail a friend a link to this story.