Hoquiam High School and YMTA form partnership

April 15, 2003

Norm Manly
President, YMTA
PO Box 70425
Seattle, WA 98107

Dear Mr. Manly,

On behalf of the Hoquiam School District Career and Technical Education department, and our current Marine Science/Technology program, I’d like to express how happy we are to have the opportunity to enter into a partnership with your organization. Both of our organizations have the same interests in mind – providing quality education and training opportunities for students enabling them to reach their fullest potentials.

Grays Harbor has a deep connection to the Maritime industries. For the past two centuries the shipping industries have played an important role in the Harbor’s economy. Our current Marine Science/Technology program has received strong support from the local community, re-enforcing those traditional ties to the sea. With the decline in the logging industry, which was the primary industry on the Harbor, the Maritime industries, both commercial and recreational, are being seen as areas of economic expansion for the Harbor.

The focus of our Marine Science/Technology program is threefold:

• To make students aware of the career opportunities in the maritime industry,

• To develop knowledge of, and experience with, some basic skills and concepts inherent to any marine or marine related career

• To teach students lessons both on and off the water, in teamwork, leadership, and perseverance that will enable them to be successful in whatever career they choose.

We are eager to generate through our partnership, more enhanced training and education for our students who dream of making a career in the maritime industry.

Sincerely,

Stan Severson
Marine Science/Technology Teacher
Hoquiam High School

Ron Baze
Director of Career and Technical Education
Hoquiam School District