Stay alert behind the wheel to keep kids safe
June 6, 2012 3:48PM
Updated: July 8, 2012 6:48PM
It’s that time of year again — graduation for hundreds of high school seniors throughout our county — a time of year when open houses abound, and kids are buzzing around in their cars from one place to another so they don’t miss seeing all their school friends.
Along with that comes a lot of chatting, laughing, and joy, and sometimes their minds aren’t quite as focused on their driving as it should be.
So, please, if you are driving near a home where there is an excessive amount of vehicles parked, be extra careful as you make your way through the area so that at least you are alert behind the wheel.
And remember when you were a kid just out of school, and it was you hopping from one open house to another.
Then, also pay attention during the next two months when youngsters are playing outside, riding their bikes, chasing each other or a ball, and not watching what’s coming down the road. We’ll be the “watchers,” so that all children in our area are safe.
Thanks for being a good Samaritan.
The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club is putting smiles on the faces of several seniors who will be off to college in the fall.
Elizabeth Buth and Kassandra Moench from Boone Grove; Rachel Opperman from Morgan; Union Township student Abigail Zeitler; Valpo High’s Cassandra Henderlong, Bryan Kalms and Josh Mekola; and Nicole Batzek and Matt Gibson of Washington Township will all be Kiwanis luncheon guests to receive this little boost for furthering their education.
Congratulations to all of you and other seniors who were scholarship recipients. I pray the future shines brightly for each and every graduate.
And especially for one very special young lady who will be graduating from Chesterton High School tonight. I’m sure most of you — probably all of you — know that special needs people are my favorite people in the world, and when anyone does anything to hurt or belittle them, it really saddens me.
That is just what happened to this pretty senior. She received a letter inviting her to awards night, and having been a choir member for two years (with a lovely voice and earning straight As), was excited to attend.
Yet, when the awards were given out, the only senior who did not receive one for choir was her. These were “participation” awards, not scholarships, and when her parents questioned the reasoning, they were told she didn’t qualify for the award.
Not qualify? Is that how far we have come with “inclusion”? She was even a participant at the Madrigal dinner.
Her attendance and her abilities are no less than her “normal” peers, so my heart aches for the unnecessary and unfair hurt to a beautiful girl and her family.
I tell you this only wishing that it will remind all of us to treat others the way we hope to be treated, and keep us mindful that we are all God’s children — my special friends are His special friends, too.
Hooray for the Valparaiso University baseball team for getting into the NCAA playoffs for the first time.
Even though it wasn’t the outcome they had hoped for, what a plus it was to have them play right here in our area. And hopefully, many fans who had never been to the RailCats ball park before found a new baseball stadium that they’ll visit often this summer.
Hope to see you there. Then I hope you have a great day because you deserve it.
Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
