Last weekend brought out the best of Vashon.

Saturday, June 14 was an action-packed day for the island. Graduating seniors paraded through town, celebrated by their friends and family as the heart of the island turned into a celebration of their hard work in the classroom and on the field.

Just an hour later, roughly 800 protestors took to Vashon Highway for a different kind of celebration — a raucous display of democracy in action as the huge crowd protested the many despicable actions taken over the last five months of President Donald Trump’s second term.

This colorful, peaceful, happy demonstration was a testament to the island. Vashon is, for many, a place of privilege. Showing up to protest is a great way to start putting some skin in the game. We hope many of the demonstrators attend the Juneteenth celebration this Thursday at Vashon Center for the Arts to learn more about furthering that noble work.

The day ended back with the graduates at Vashon High School field, where a superbly talented, funny and thoughtful class of graduates showed the best of Vashon’s burgeoning youth. They spoke to our shared responsibility to generations after us. They recollected memories of camaraderie and fellow feeling.

Vashon — at its best — fights for a healthy planet and a just society. It speaks in paintbrushes, drums, guitars and poetry. We saw all of that in spades last Saturday.