Uplifting Stories About Young Adults

            This morning (5/28/13), one of the local morning shows did a segment on “Three Teens Who Give Their Generation a Good Name[1].”  The segment briefly mentioned three students who overcame obstacles to graduate from high school. 

            The segment highlighted an openly gay student in Colorado, who as the class speaker at graduation, thanked parents for “raising their children the right way.”  The student spoke about being accepted by his fellow classmates and he was never bullied or called disparaging names by his classmates during his four years at school. 

            The segment also highlighted a student from Louisiana who is awaiting a heart transplant and received his diploma at a graduation ceremony at the hospital where he is being treated.  This individual discussed the importance of getting an education.

            The third segment highlighted a homeless student from Georgia who graduated with a 4.66 grade point average (gpa).  In the Valedictorian speech, the student spoke about how the family slept on mats on the floor and didn’t know where their next meal or shower would come from.

            These remarkable stories of young adults successfully overcoming obstacles should be the norm by media outlets, but sadly it is not.  There are more negative stories reported about young adults than positive ones.  The un-balanced reporting has portrayed all young adults in a negative light.  Our society has become more familiar with the short comings of young adults that we have lost sight of the countless young adults who are not getting into trouble and are making a difference in our society.

            With all the attention given to teen moms and the antics of spoiled rich kids and young entertainers, the young adults who will be the next tech guru, the next CEO, the next President, the next social justice advocate are being cheated of their right to be recognized for their tenacity, persistence and resilience.

            Imagine if media outlets provided more stories on the positive things students across the country are doing, would we become more involved in the fight against the closing of schools and the cuts to Art and Music programs?

If we consider these students as the norm, our perspective changes and our focus will be on providing opportunities for the majority of the students who are doing the right thing. By providing opportunities for the majority of the students who are doing the right thing, it is my belief those who are struggling to do the right thing will see the benefits of doing right and turn their lives around.

Thank you to all young adults who are doing the right thing!

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[1] http://eyeopenertv.com/2013/05/28/three-teens-who-give-their-generation-a-good-name/#axzz2Ubi0BR8Q