I have read with interest the varying letters to the editor about the future of the cafeteria at Marysville Pilchuck High School. There are no hard-and-fast rules on how to handle a building when a tragedy takes place. Just as there are no rules on how to grieve the loss of loved ones.
When the tragic shooting took place in our community the school and staff looked for any resource for help and advice. Throughout it all we all have been reminded that there are examples to use as a reference, but every situation is different. What works to bring healing in one community is not so in another.
Those that say building a new building is not necessary may be looking at this through logical eyes. This entire situation defies logic so that does not necessary apply. To some this maybe only about a building and its continual use.
To those that knew the victims of this horrific day the building is the least of our concern.
This is more about the continuous reminder that as a community our lives are forever changed. I do not think that a single person can come onto the Marysville Pilchuck campus and not feel that change when the old cafeteria building sits as a reminder to all of us.
In my opinion the length of time that it is taking to make the necessary changes to where our kids eat their lunches is where the real issue lies. Our children deserve to be able to move beyond this tragedy. A new building will help with that because it will not be the glaring remember that the old cafeteria is to them every day. Our children are trying to move forward. No one has the right to tell them how they are to do this.
It does matter whether past, present, or future students eat in the old cafeteria. All of the students in our community were impacted by that day. All of them are worth being able to have a new place to rebuild the trust and security that a school should be able to provide for them.
The community was asked what they thought was the best course of action to take. If you did not get the opportunity to speak your choice, sorry, but after careful consideration the community was listened to. The choice that was made was to move forward by building a new cafeteria. This is the best decision for our kids and our community. You cannot put a price on what it cost to heal the heart or the time that it will take to do that.
Carol Whitney lives in Marysville.
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