YEARBOOK PHOTOS DEPICTING DRUG USE SHAKE UP PARENTS

At Least 5 Pages Raise Alarm At Conifer High

CONIFER - Some parents are up in arms over photos and captions in this
year's Conifer High School yearbook that depict underage drinking and
illegal drug use.

"It's showing illegal activity," said Karen Marshall, 46, of Morrison,
whose daughter is graduating this year. "They have broken the law, and
they have broken the zero tolerance policy on Jefferson County school
grounds."

Marshall was among a number of parents who were horrified at what was
published in this year's yearbook, which was released last week. There
were at least five pages that parents found objectionable.

Two pages, labeled "Health - addicted to addictions," included photos
showing students holding a bong, drinking from a hose and funnel and
exhaling smoke.

Alongside the photos were quotes from students, some named, some
anonymous, about their drug use.

"It makes me feel good," an unnamed senior is quoted as saying about
marijuana. "It brings people together. If you smoke with someone,
you're chill with them."

In another section labeled "Regrets and mistakes" there is a photo of
three female students - all identified - holding minor-in-possession
tickets they were given by police for underage drinking.

The photo caption quoted one of the girls saying, "I wish I wouldn't
have told the cops the truth when they asked who had been drinking
because they made it sound like they would be easier on us, but they
let everyone else walk out the door."

Joy Reinke, 45, of Evergreen, parent of two daughters at Conifer,
including one who is graduating this year, said she couldn't believe
that the photos and quotes were published.

"It's a very unbalanced book," she said.

Reinke said she talked to the yearbook adviser, Amy McTague, last week
about her concerns and was disappointed in McTague's response.

"She went on about it was the students' First Amendment right to
freedom of speech, and we disagreed about that," Reinke said. "She has
betrayed the trust of this community."

McTague, who also teaches junior English, could not be reached for
comment Monday, but she sent a letter apologizing to parents.

"It wasn't my intent or my students' intent to portray such a negative
tone in their attempt to cover all aspects of a students' life and
some of the very difficult choices they face," she wrote.

"Intent, however, is irrelevant at this point; I understand that," she
continued. "My editor and I have discussed at length and have agreed
that there was no balance on the pages that are of concern and that
some elements are completely inappropriate. These issues detract from
the many wonderful things that are included in this book."

Interim Principal Pat Termin agreed that mistakes were made.

"There were some things . . . that I don't feel that I can defend,"
she said. "There were some pictures and quotes that I do believe have
crossed the line."

Students can return their yearbook to get a refund or to have the
offending text covered with stickers featuring new captions and
quotes. The "Health - addicted to addictions" pages will be glued together.