Here's an e-mail exchange regarding Avery Doninger and this story way back in June.

 

From an anonymous June 23, response to this story about Doninger's graduation: "your Burlington story is so full of partial and inaccurate statements, I don't know where to begin. You need to hear from both sides, not just one."

 

My response to mystery emailer: "Please, do begin. Begin by telling me what I did wrong, explain the inaccuracies and half-truths, and I will be more than happy to post your comments as a letter to the editor. Of course, I need your full name to
do so. Thanks for your input."

 

Finally, July 13, Al Gaens wrote his missive, titled "Lewis Mills." Here it is, unedited:

 

The fact that her idiot mother is using her as a puppet is what's wrong as well as media outlets such as yours that are making it appear this kid is a saint and a martyr. Fact is she didn't forfeit her right to run for student office for simply calling the superindentent a name, but for a series of misguided steps on her behalf that really didn't fit a student who would assume a leadership position in the school - one of which was spamming the students and parents of the school district encouraging everyone to call the superindentent in protest of the date change, not the cancellation of jamfest as many electronic media report. You probably aren't aware that the reason it was postponed is because she wanted to hold it in the brand new auditorium. Problem with the date that she had chosen is the person who needed to be there was not available for the original jamfest date. Alternatives were given, but that was unacceptable her and she essentially had a meltdown/tantrum.

 

Will all the details of her transgressions be released? Nope. Federal privacy laws prohibit the release of this detailed information. The principal was foolish for engaging in email conversations about this student from obvious baiters, but unfortunately, we have media outlets such as yourself taking up "the cause" and making everyone, except the childish one, the guilty party.

 

I wish the media would would focus on the reality of this situation - that what you put on the internet is public and can certainly come back to haunt you when it comes time to look for a job. Pictures, blogs, instant messages and email have and will continue to bite people in the proverbial ass. My company does extensive internet searches on potential employee's and believe some colleges may be doing this as well.

 

So what she didn't get to run for class "whatever". What the othe students learned is much more valuable and hopefully a few will be careful what they post the next time they are online.

There you go. Life goes on.

 

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