Apr 26, 2015 1 min read

I am writing this letter in response to the recent outrage created by a small group of students from my alma mater, McGuffey High School.

What a terrible way to bring recognition to our school. The McGuffey School District has had a history with intolerance, like when Mel Blunt of the Pittsburgh Steelers first introduced a youth home near Claysville and crosses were burned. Recognition should be found by doing great things, like winning wrestling championships, or, much better yet, doing something that improves community.

My disgust lies not only in the obvious ignorant bigotry towards the LGBT community, but also the violation of the flannel shirt community, of which I am intimately involved. What hypocrisy in choosing the flannel shirt, the most diverse of all shirt patterns, to represent such small-minded bigotry.

I don’t live in Washington County anymore, but know this – it is so sad and embarrassing that the only recognition for a school that I once loved and was proud of is so negative.

Matthew Helicke

Salida, Colo.

Helicke is a 1998 graduate of McGuffey High School.