Looking beyond the headlines

It has been very disillusioning lately to read the Daily Pilot

articles about poor and extremely critical choices made by young

people involving cyber crime, rape and sexual assault and

alcohol-related driving.

It would be easy to conclude that young people of today lack the

moral courage and ethical standards to make good choices. I was

privileged recently to be part of something that reinstated my

confidence that young people do, in fact, have what it takes to be

honest, caring and law-abiding members of our community.

On May 18 and 19 nearly all of the sophomore class at Corona del

Mar High School took part in Challenge Day, an all-day program aimed

at raising individual responsibility for reducing and eventually

eliminating social, cultural and emotional oppression on the campus

and in the community.

I saw bright, articulate and compassionate young people sharing

their hopes and dreams for the future. I saw them laugh, cry, admit

and forgive with more honesty and sincerity than I thought possible.

They shared the difficulties and pressures they experience in their

academic, athletic, social and family lives, and their resilience is

remarkable. They also celebrated their successes, joys and passions.

I saw wonderful potential for leadership, commitment and success

balanced by depth, compassion and insight. They want to care and to

be cared about.

At the end of the day, they were all given the challenge to be the

change needed in the world, and they accepted it. Time will tell what

they to do with that challenge. As an adult member of their

community, I can honestly say that I feel encouraged by what I saw

and heard.

I am no longer disillusioned, and I have confidence that our young

people do have what it takes to make the right choices.

I challenge this community to “catch them being good,” to believe

in and encourage our young people. They need and deserve our support.

Anything less would be a poor choice on our part.

MARIANNE SCOTT

Newport Beach