Cynthia Harris

There’s wrong. Then there’s Army wrong.

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Homecoming. It’s the stuff of poufy dresses, awkward dates and football games in front of roaring alumni.

But at Jefferson High School’s homecoming game last Friday, Oct. 3, when the Democrats trounced Roosevelt’s Roughriders, it was also a mighty display of America’s military—due to rain and a last-minute OK by this week’s Rogue, Principal Cynthia Harris, who let military vehicles escort students in the high school’s halftime festivities.

Jefferson’s cheerleaders and its homecoming court were supposed to ride in open convertibles around the school’s track during halftime. But when it started to rain, Jefferson’s administrators scrambled to find a new arrangement.

And the Oregon Army National Guard was conveniently there to provide one, allowing the school to use two of its military vehicles stationed nearby.

Portland Public Schools’ policy is to give military recruiters and the Oregon National Guard the same access to students as colleges, at the discretion of counselors and principals. But its lack of a policy for after-school activities gave Harris an opening big enough for the two cargo and personnel trucks to drive through.

Jefferson administrators violated no rules, and there was no recruitment at the game. “They’re publicly owned vehicles,” says Matt Shelby, a Portland Public Schools spokesman. “It’s no different than using the city’s trucks.”

But, given the controversy surrounding efforts by military recruiters to get into the schools and the symbolism involved, Jeff’s principal should have said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Anyone ever heard of tarps? How ’bout umbrellas?

10.08.2008 at 05:19 Reply

wrnchbndr

Cynthia did nothing wrong!

You staff writers are so clueless. Why would anyone care if they where military trucks or farm trucks!!

Get a LIFE and stop persicuting people that are just doing their job!

10.08.2008 at 07:46 Reply

Steve R.

Military recruiters who prey on disadvantaged teens are the real rogues, along with the PPS school board and administration who haven't defined a policy for their access to students during extra-curricular activities.

No recruitment at the game? What was the National Guard doing there with big vehicles if not recruiting?

Since African-Americans are overrepresented in the military, this is especially galling to see at Oregon's only majority black high school.

10.09.2008 at 10:37 Reply

HMLA267

"Prey on disadvantaged youth"...what an ignorant, condecending, elitist statement.

I came from a home where my mother was physically disabled, father in prison, and all my siblings were in trouble with the law.

The Boy Scouts of America, and later, the U.S. Marine Corps, taught me that my options in life were only limited by my own willingness to work hard, take responsibility, and lead the way.

I was wildly successful in my career & retired early with a very comfortable income. My house & retirement property in Eastern Oregon are paid for. I am about to buy an additional piece of property for investment purposes. I am under 55 years of age. Are you in that good of shape Steve? Perhaps you should have raised you paw & took an oath.

More of Portland's youth should recieve exposure to the military. It provides positive and worthwhile role models.

Or, you can listen to the bleatings of spiteful, left wing snobs that would leave young people to wallow in poverty & self-pity.

I will always be proud to have worn our county's uniform. Always.

10.09.2008 at 05:18 Reply

Amy Hagopian

The military escort is a trojan horse--trying to lure our kids into signing their lives away. I'm not interested in sending my kids to go kill some other mother's kids in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or anywhere else.

10.10.2008 at 08:25 Reply

Eric Zimmerman

I generally find the Rogue of the Week interesting and sometimes revealing about parts of our community I am unaware of. This week's Rogue is flat wrong and I am severely disappointed with the Editorial Staff.

The characterization that the use of a military vehicle (of which was not armed or destructive by any means) has some sort of negative symbolism is a completely undeveloped and off-base assumption. The Editorial Staff needs to first understand what the National Guard is and the purpose they serve. They are a state organization, of who fall under the guidance of the Governor of the State of Oregon. Their most recognizable role in our community is during rescue operations throughout our state and nation. If this is the wrong symbolism, if offering help to a local high school is a problem for the Editors, or if the Principal is a bad person for recognizing the insignificance of allowing the trucks to help, then maybe it is time for the Editors to reevaluate their role in our community and their criteria for the Rogue of the Week.

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Cynthia Harris

There’s wrong. Then there’s Army wrong.