Editor,

Congratulations to the 116 graduates of South Whidbey High School, (‘Fly Falcons, fly: Class of 2015 graduates before massive crowd’ June 10, 2015). Here is hoping you do indeed fly! We need you in this world to guide humanity at this fork in the road.

We are at a place where the end of poverty is possible, according to Dr. Jim Kim, president of the World Bank. We can finally see the opportunity to control the three plagues of mankind: AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, says Dr. Mark Dybul, executive director of Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Of course this will mean maintaining our work on these tasks which requires attention, innovation, and funding. As citizens, you can help create the political will to do this work by asking your representatives to vote to fund this work. You may even create some of the innovations we need.

Ending poverty and controlling disease not only save lives, it protects us all now that disease so easily goes global like ebola did. It also creates a more peaceful world and stronger trading partners. So step up class of 2015, the world needs you!

WILLIE DICKERSON

Snohomish