Hometown pride is a privilege, and one that I know dearly.
I’m reminded how special our town is every time I come home to visit.
Port Angeles is American gem.
Sadly, it does not call me to return.
Some of my best memories are from high school, but they’re muddled by leaky roofs, holes in the walls, and pausing class because we couldn’t hear above the clanking heaters.
Above all else, I remember sitting in class feeling the uncertainty of my safety if an intruder came onto campus.
My fellow PAHS graduates and I are learning to be doctors and dentists, welders and line workers.
But I don’t know a single person my age who plans to return to and practice the profession they’re learning if it means their kids will have to be in those buildings.
This affects everyone, not just people with children.
A town can’t thrive if families don’t want to live there.
Our schools are a big, bulging blemish on our otherwise beautiful town and they’re just getting worse.
The longer it takes to do something the more expensive it gets, and the quality of life will decline because people with families won’t choose to live here.
Go see for yourself.
Take the time to walk the halls and see what we need to rebuild, and why.
We want our little American gem to shine and draw people in, not to crumble like concrete.
Lily Robertson
Bellingham