Sixth diploma was a family milestone

Thank you for printing my son Jeremy O'Donnell's graduation photo on June 5.

The photo shows him jumping for joy after receiving his diploma at Radford High School last Friday. I thought I'd tell you there is more to the story.

Jeremy is the last of six children to attend Radford High School and my last child to graduate. As a single mother for the past nine years it has been a huge struggle, but I finally saw all of my children receive high school degrees.

Now, thanks to the Star-Bulletin, I have a wonderful, printed memory of a dream come true. Like his brothers and sisters before him, Jeremy is going on to college. He'll be attending Leeward Community College to get his core classes and figure out what he wants to do.

He is gifted in art and won the Silver Key award in this year's Academy of Arts Awards. He is also interested in chemistry and, at 6-foot-8, he plays great basketball!

Jan O'Donnell
Via the Internet

Senators have forgotten who's the boss

The entire Bronster/Anzai fiasco raises an interesting question: When did we drop the "servant" from the term public servant? We -- the bosses, the electorate -- bestowed upon these senators through an election, the privilege of serving us. I do not recall electing public dictators.

Perhaps it is time to stop calling these people legislators, senators, etc. and start addressing them as what they should be: public servants.

Hank Alau
Kaneohe
Via the Internet

Quotables "This past year seemed especially challenging because there always seemed to be a major issue to be dealt with. It's been 10 months, but sometimes it seems like 10 years." Keith Amemiya HHSAA executive director On the attorney's first year as head of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association "I think we can do the same things as men. I want to experience what it feels like to tackle someone. I don't want to be just a kicker on a boys' team." Seila Mamea Palolo Valley resident Trying out for a spot on a yet-to-be-named Hawaii team that could be joining the Women's Professional Football League in the year 2000

UH degrees may soon be worthless

Attention University of Hawaii students: Your degrees may be worthless.

With the loss of accreditation at the UH School of Public Health, students may start wondering if the programs they are to graduate in will also lose accreditation. If UH keeps losing credibility, what good will a UH diploma be?

President Mortimer's silence concerning the loss of the health school's accreditation does not help the situation. He needs to understand that students are concerned about UH and its future. With Mortimer's years in office characterized by rising tuitions and loss of accreditation, this might be time for a change.

Chadwick Kamei
Student, College of Arts & Sciences
University of Hawaii-Manoa

Hawaii voters are in denial about leaders

I have recently relocated to Louisiana after eight years in Hawaii. I miss my ohana, but I decided it was time to wake up and join the 21st century.

I miss the beauty of Hawaii but, sadly, there are snakes in your garden of paradise. These snakes are the Democratic politicians who have governed Hawaii even longer than the Communists have been in power in Cuba.

These politicians keep selling the same old snake oil: that haoles are evil, small businesses are greedy, mainland companies are unworthy of locating their firms on these islands, etc. Furthermore, the majority of Hawaii's people allowed themselves to be deceived in the 1998 election.

I will always love the islands, but I can't help but feel sorry for Hawaii, especially when its residents are in such a state of denial.

Sean P. Porter
Metairie, La.
Via the Internet

Vietnam wall made for moving experience

Mahalo to all sponsors for bringing the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to the islands. The volunteers were helpful and supportive to all looking for a cherished name.

I had expected an atmosphere of finality; instead, I found tributes of reverence and love. I left the memorial with the consolation that, some glad day, God will take us into their goodly company.

W. Woodstrup
Waialua

Prayer certainly does belong in the schools

What recently occurred at the Calvert County School in Maryland, I believe, is the beginning of a public prayer revival that will be spreading throughout America ("Reciting a prayer at high school graduation," Cal Thomas column, June 4). The U.S. Supreme Court was wrong to outlaw prayer in the schools.

I strongly support students wanting to "bring God back" into the American classroom.

James G. Borden
Hilo, Hawaii

Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes

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