Sounder should have given more details | Letter

Published 10:37 am Monday, November 21, 2011

I applaud Superintendent Barbara Kline’s decision to enforce a strict interpretation of the rules on alcohol and drug abuse by high-school athletes, as noted in your Nov. 16 article about this unfortunate incident. These are rules that the students agreed to before accepting the privilege of representing Orcas Island High School in athletic competition. They should abide by what they agreed upon – a lesson that I hope they learn for later in life.

I am puzzled, however, that the Sounder gave over three column inches to an unidentified parent of one of these students to complain about her decision. Is this responsible journalism? Why let this parent carp away anonymously, hiding behind the need to protect the identity of a teenager involved?

And I note from two brief articles buried on page 6 that the volleyball team came home win-less from the state tournament in early November, and that the football team — which was as good as last year’s championship-caliber one — lost 47–0 to Napavine in its first playoff game. Those of us who can still add two plus two can easily understand why this happened. Why didn’t the Sounder draw this connection in print?

According to the article, an unidentified parent hosted the party where these students were given alcoholic beverages, thereby putting them at risk and leading ultimately to their expulsion from the teams. I can understand the need to protect the identity of a teenage son or daughter by not naming this person in print. But does it serve the overall community good?

Orcas Island will probably learn about this person over the grapevine anyway. As the father of a teenage son, I hope the ensuing community outrage for having dashed the playoff hopes of two fine teams will help convince adults on the island to abide by the laws against supplying alcohol and drugs to minors.

Michael Riordan

Orcas Island