Hello. My name is Graham Sanders, I am a Grade 13 member of West Hill Secondary School. When the Accommodation Review Committee discussion first presented itself back in December I was rather unconcerned at first. I told myself that it was something which did not concern me, as I am moving forward with my education after the end of this school year. However, I soon realized I cared much more about the result and I wasn't capable of sitting back and leaving my views unsaid.

I have listened to the comments and concerns of many people, be they fellow students, or members of the community. I have come across numerous articles, posts, etc on social media which often create an unkind

atmosphere for legitimate discussion and problem solving. While it is tempting to simply discredit and insult the views of any and all whom don't agree, this approach will not produce positive results, only encourage more of the same kind of behaviour. With that said, I would like to address the points which I feel are most important to clear up in order to promote teamwork, common ground, and to promote a path forward that will be the best for Owen Sound, no matter the end decision of the Trustees.

Culture has quickly become an important aspect for this ARC committee. History, identity, atmosphere are all important as they shape the fabric of the high school experience. However, these are only parts of a greater whole, the goal of which is to provide students everywhere the education that will allow them to follow their dreams and pursue paths which interest them. While I can understand the desire to preserve the name O.S.C.V.I and everything the name and building represents, we can't allow ourselves to handicap the educational future of ALL Owen Sound students for the sake of the past. Change is a constant, remember OSCVI for what it is and was, but don't let it dictate what will be.

I'm not insinuating that we should simply throw away the OSCVI culture and demand integration with West Hill. To the contrary, I believe that keeping either name, or school colours drives a wedge between the two parts we are trying to combine into one greater whole. This should be a new beginning for everyone, which allows the change which has taken place to flourish and grow as much as possible and staying rooted in the past prevents that.

This move will not mean an end to everything that each school has worked on to build up through time. West Hill has an impressive technological education program, and OSCVI the exceptional performing arts department. By allowing a larger student body access to these options we can bolster the secondary school

experience for all students. While I agree that events such as Friday Night Lights are important parts of both schools this change allows us to explore new avenues for involvement which provide fresh experiences that lay the groundwork for even better events.

Change is never easy. Over 50 years ago, when secondary education in Owen Sound was split into two buildings, there were probably many upset students and families. Students had to attend a different school than their friends. The traditions that had been built in one school over many decades would be

lost. Students would have to walk farther to attend a different school. Change certainly wasn't easy back then, but from that change grew new traditions and a new culture for both schools and for Owen Sound.

Now the board is asking us to change again. If anything, bringing people together is much easier than driving

them apart. Does it mean that culture and events in Owen Sound are going to change? Of course it does. But as we've seen in the past, change isn't always bad. We made the best of thing 50 years ago, and we will again today, creating new traditions and a new culture that includes the best of both schools and

building on to that. If we make this positive change for all Owen Sound Secondary students today, it will be another 50 years before we have to consider changing again.

The bottomline is that whatever the outcome, it is our duty to make the best of it. We are one city, and we should work towards our end-goals with this in mind, the best option is the one which benefits ALL of Owen Sound students, both elementary and secondary. While providing everyone their preferred choice is an impossible task, getting as close to that goal as possible while keeping feasibility in mind is not. The ARC committee has heard loud and clear from our elementary schools and parents, that they prefer the one high school options, as it will allow for better programs when their students attend high school in a few years.

As a man whom I have looked to for advice and guidance during the past 5 years said "We shouldn't sacrifice our shared future on the altar of our divided past."