To the Alumni of Mar Vista High School: 
When recently I learned the controversy involving the School Anchor, I was
completely indifferent to the issue but after finding out the opinions of
most veteran Mariners and the significance it has to the Alumni, I had to
change my point of view.

First that all, the former students of Mar Vista high school raised funds
and donated the anchor to the school to provide a visual symbol of the
spirit of Mar Vista and an icon that also served as a visible example of our
pride to any witness, therefore, the administration had no authority of
removing the anchor without the consent of the Alumni.

Nevertheless, if the District had funded the monument, the situation would
remind the same, since who has the responsibility of carrying the bulk of
keeping the never pleased bureaucracy? The citizenship, the taxpayers, the
same students and their families.

It’s true that the dead student deserves respect but lets understand that
the anchor not only is an esthetic ornament to the lawn of the school, but
the materialized reminder of the Mariner spirit that by thus honors not only
one but all the students that were lost.

Perhaps all this comes in a bad timing, after acts of vandalism, but perhaps
it is time to honor the past of the school while we approach the future, not
only admiring the almost venerated new Gym but trying to maintain the last
remnants of our past.

-Christian Rocha

Class of 2006.