I am a proud Sequim High School 2012 graduate, and I voted YES for the school renovation plans.

My biggest concern for the renovations is the plans for the Band, Choir and Theater departments. My entire high school career I was involved in the Choir and Theater departments, and I loved every minute of it but there are problems with our facilities.

My biggest issue is that the band and choir rooms are located off-campus. Many might think this not to be a big deal but it is. Being across from the main campus we are cut off from everything. The intercom and telephone systems don’t work, so if there was an emergency lockdown, say God-forbid a gunman on campus, the students wouldn’t know and would be put in harm’s way, simply because we are so out of the loop.

The classrooms are small as well. As years go by the programs are thriving and growing and the classrooms simply cannot accommodate the numbers of students joining the programs.

As far as I’m concerned everyone should be voting YES. It might be expensive but in the end it creates a safer environment for future generations; after all we are doing this for students we have now and the students of the future. Although I am now at college in Idaho, Sequim will always be my home and one day I would like to raise a family here. I want my kids to go to a school that’s safe and can enrich their education.

Walt Disney once said, “Around here … we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious … and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” I think it’s time for the Sequim High Wolves to go down a new path and see what new doors we can open.

So please vote YES to the proposed school changes.

Sarah Stoffer

SHS Alumni Class of 2012

Boise, ID