EDITORIAL — We pray young people return to Port Arthur
Published 3:32 pm Monday, May 20, 2019
Every generation, it seems, frets over the next, laments myriad shortcomings of young people and, arms outstretched toward the heavens, wonders, “Why can’t they be like us?”
Save it.
Year-end activities at local schools convince us that the world — at least our coastal Texan portion of it — may yet fall into capable and caring hands.
That’s what we learn as we move from one celebration to the next for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math students; for young artists; for high schools large and small around Greater Port Arthur and Mid County high schools.
We’ve learned that as we’ve sat with, talked to and enjoyed countless young people who are completing their senior years and have pointed their best intentions toward colleges and universities. When they leave, we should pray they return.
That has held true for us this week at the Night of Stars, where the Port Arthur Education Foundation honored the Top 10 graduates in Port Arthur ISD. It held true as we sat with more than a dozen local graduates from Port Arthur Memorial, Bob Hope High School and Sabine Pass High School on Thursday as they collected scholarship money from the Port Arthur Rotary Club.
Sure enough, we’re oftentimes meeting with elite students — not the rank-and-file — but shouldn’t each generation be judged by its best? We old-timers ought to be at least that generous.
Those young people we met Thursday revealed themselves to be hard working, ambitious, dutiful, devoted to family. They’ve plunged into studies and school activities, as well, sometimes while working part time.
Some, in their scholarship essays, detailed personal or family illnesses, economic setbacks, and formidable challenges to their success. And yet, listening to individual scholars talk about their plans, they’ve measured their success not only in money but in commitment to their community and their families.
One college-bound senior said plainly that she wanted to make their parents — who have sacrificed to provide what advantages were possible for her — proud. Others talked about making their own career choices — such as doctor or nurse — when confronted by family illnesses. And so on.
One student wrote to the Rotarians, “I believe that we all have the duty to return to our hometown and give back to the community because they have helped build us into the men and women we are today.”
All of which leaves us worrying not about these young graduates but about ourselves. Do we do enough to recognize and appreciate young people who have embraced what’s best about our community? Do we encourage their successes and assist their movements forward?
We’ve been blessed of late to meet sincere, industrious, charming young men and women graduating our high schools. We pray for their success — and that they continue to call Port Arthur home.
See also: EDITORIAL — Night of Stars: Students triumph