I have served as a public educator for 35 years. Nearly half of my experience has been at Mariner High School. After I finish my career, I will take with me powerful memories of and deep admiration for all the Mariner students and staff. I will remember Mariner students as dedicated, compassionate, inspirational, and courageous. I will remember the Mariner staff being equally dedicated and compassionate, while holding their Mariner students to the highest standards and having absolute, across-the-board admiration and love for all the kids they served. I have chosen Mariner as my last school to serve; I cannot image a better place on earth to teach.
The Herald’s headline on Sept. 16, “Stadium emptied after gunshots outside Mariner football game,” demonstrates the bias that frequents this newspaper. The football game that was headlined was a Kamiak vs. Mariner game, and Kamiak, who shares Goddard stadium as home, hosted the game this year. I must emphasize that Kamiak is no more responsible for the shooting that occurred outside Goddard stadium than Mariner is.
The Herald, however, is responsible for headlining the game as a “Mariner game.” That one single headline tarnishes the great blue and gold that I see shining brightly every day and effectively helps to give Mariner a black eye in public opinion. That one single headline has the potential to damage to the spirit and reputation of our Mariner community. We are a resilient family, however, and we will continue to persevere.
And I am hopeful that The Herald will not make the same mistake again.
Jeff Ferderer
Everett
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