Letters to the Editor 06/02/2010

To the Editor:

Last Wednesday evening, Sisters High School recognized all the graduating seniors of 2010. Over 77 local scholarships were awarded to some very grateful recipients.

I was honored with two scholarships: One from the Sisters Kiwanis and one from the Sisters Rodeo Association. I would like to thank all the local citizens and businesses who give so generously to all of these scholarships. We, the students of Sisters High School, appreciate each and every scholarship offered.

Trish Erickson

Class of 2010

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To the Editor:

I want to thank The Nugget for the great article about Just1x, the nonprofit I started in order to address good kids who are living dangerously and their friends who keep their activities a secret ("Sisters resident launches nonprofit to fight 'code of silence,'" The Nugget, May 26, page 10).

There is one part of the article that I would like to address. The statement "drug use was not a part of the group's activities" in paragraph six is inaccurate. Kyle and some of his friends used drugs in high school recreationally and this activity led to his use of heroin, which killed him on September 6, 2009.

Students believe they are invincible and that occasional recreational use of drugs isn't harmful. Kyle's death disputes that notion. Many parents came up to me after Kyle died and said it was shocking to them that this great kid died from a heroin overdose. His death was a wake-up call to them, because if Kyle could die in such a way, it could have easily been their son or

daughter.

Our hope in telling Kyle's story is that kids will see that even occasional dangerous living can have consequences that are devastating and permanent. We will challenge students who know their friends are at risk to break the code of silence - to seek help for their friends, and maybe even save a life.

I'd love to invite you to visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/just1time) and join the growing group of people supporting our endeavor to help kids make good choices for themselves and their friends.

Sincerely,

Penny Whipps

Founder, Just1x; http://www.just1x.com