How can school turn down former student?

Words alone cannot begin to tell you the dismay I now feel toward the high school that I graduated from in 1989. Laguna Beach, what has happened? First the red-ribbon debacle of International AIDS Day, and now this?

The Laguna Beach Unified School District says no to former graduate Dieter Schmitz in his efforts to raise money for teen suicide prevention?

Running and biking his way from Tijuana to Laguna Beach, he had hoped to end his journey on the Laguna Beach High School track with fans watching from the stands. Instead, he was not allowed to use the track and quickly had to find an alternate site. Fortunately, the United Methodist Church welcomed the event.

He was told school officials refused use of the track because of a pledge to nearby neighbors that “outside groups” would not have use of the field and lights.

An outside group?

Dieter is a born-and-bred Laguna Beach local who should be honored for what he is doing and not cast away as an outsider. If this wasn’t a great example of being a role model for Laguna Beach kids, what is?

The excuse that “we made a pledge to our neighbors” is lame, because if any neighbor couldn’t for one night let the pledge go and be part of this man’s crusade in preventing teen suicide, then they don’t deserve to live here.

I have personally known people who have committed suicide, and this effort is extremely important.

As a person who has overcome his own problems with depression, Dieter signifies hope.

It is truly sad that, as everyone cries and complains about the MTV show “Laguna Beach,” a hero like Dieter goes overlooked.

Perhaps this town is more interested in its own selfish needs and colors and noise pollution and parking spots and blah blah blah.... Maybe we should just call a spade a spade.

Peace.

* James Pribram is a Laguna Beach native, board member of Clean Water Now, professional surfer and founder of the Aloha School of Surfing. He can be reached at [email protected].

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