Newspapers and journalists in general have a bad rap. Too many of us are looked down upon for reporting only the bad news. Well, that's just not so. If you look around, there are all kinds of good stories out there being shared.
On the same day that beautiful Samantha Alamo was crowned Sebring High School's Homecoming Queen, another young man was showing there truly is hope for tomorrow in some of our youth.
Lucas Norman is an eighth-grade cross country runner from Wellston, Ohio who suffers with what news reporters in the area call a mild form of cerebral palsy. He was trying to run a 2-mile course but was having trouble. Fellow runner Colt Yinger from Nelsonville York finished the race then went back to check on Lucas.
Colt ran beside Lucas, encouraging him to finish the race, and was there to help Lucas when he fell close to the finish line. Instead of helping Lucas walk away, Colt helped Lucas end the race and cross the finish line.
After Colt received his medal, he walked back to Lucas and gave it to him.
By the way, in case you didn't know, Samantha has Down syndrome and was voted queen by her peers Oct. 12. She was swarmed by her classmates on the field after the announcement was made.
There is also the story of Logan Thompson and his St. Clairsville (Ohio) High School teammate Michael Ferns, found on WSPN.go.com and WolverineNation. Two days before Logan was to appear in his first varsity football game the young man had to beat down an interior door to get to his dad who was laying unconscious after suffering a stroke. His 44-year-old dad never came home from the hospital.
Logan went to school that day, sharing the details of his morning with only his coach and best friend, Brendan Ferns, who then shared it with his brother, Michael. Michael shared Logan's story with the other members of the varsity football team. Together, with their coaches blessings, the teammates decided they had to do something.
As the game against Richmond came to an end, Michigan Wolverine recruit Michael Ferns broke past the line of scrimmage, running for the end zone. Just one yard shy of a touchdown, Ferns stepped out of bounds. The plan was in action.
The head coach sent Logan in to the running back position and told him what play to call. Stunned, the young man did as his coach instructed.
Ferns asked Logan what the play was and then led the way, blocking for Logan. Logan made the touchdown.
The story in its entirety is very moving and shows what not just one other young person, but a whole team of young people, were willing to do for a teammate. Not to mention what the adult coaches did to help, and how the whole thing impacted those in the stands ... and at home.
Check out their story at http://espn.go.com/colleges/michigan/football/recruiting/story/_/id/8547790/st-clairsville-football-team-delivers-memorable-moment-freshman.
Then there is the 8-year-old girl in Fairfax, Calif., who is making her feelings known against human trafficking - one glass of lemonade at a time.
Vivienne Harr has raised nearly $50,000 of the $150,000 goal she set for herself to help bring an end to world slavery.
According to makeastandlemonade.com, Vivienne's father Eric tells of how the determined young girl met Lisa Kristine, the woman behind Vivienne's inspiration. Vivienne was on hand to present a check to the Not for Sale Campaign.
Vivienne has been making a stand against human trafficking for more than 130 days, through wind, rain and even school.
There are plenty of similar stories to be found. All you have to do is get on the Internet and look for them. I try to live a more optimistic life. I still have my down days, but I choose to be more optimistic about life. Give it a try. If you're not used to it, you might be surprised at how uplifting in can be.
Romona Washington is publisher and executive editor of the News-Sun. She can be reached at publisher@newssun.com
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - www.newssun.com/col-112112-random