So, I’m inspired to write this article because the past few weeks provided a huge breath of fresh air. Not in what I watched on the news, read in the papers, or heard in large groups, but in what I saw in person. Many Onalaska High School students have done great things to make me proud. So proud, that I am writing this article for the Onalaska Ink, a newspaper that I did not approve of at first. I was one of the naysayers who thought about the possible negative impact of the paper, instead of imagining the amazing stories that our kids would write. Bravo, Ona Ink staff. You are what is right with kids.

So where do I start? Homecoming! I wish you could have seen the dance. Hundreds of kids, loud music, smiles of joy and friendship, crazy dancing, laughing, heat (wow…you can not believe how much heat 600 kids dancing like crazy can kick out), flashing lights, and pure fun. If I could bottle the enthusiasm and sell it, energy drinks would be extinct. For three hours it was exactly what is right with kids.

On September 18th our OHS Band held a performance at the La Crosse Municipal Airport. This performance was for World War II veterans who participated in the honor flight to Washington DC to see the World War II memorial. Our band director received a letter from one of the veterans on that flight expressing a heartfelt thank you to our band for performing. One statement reads, “I just had to write you a short letter to tell you how very impressed I was with your wonderful band. I never in a hundred years expected to have this wonderful homecoming back from Washington D.C. You must be very proud of these young people to come out on a cold Saturday night to welcome home a bunch of old Veterans back home to Onalaska.” What is even more amazing about what our kids did, is that the performance was at 9:30 p.m. on a Saturday night after a long day of performing at a fundraiser, and they all got up the next morning to represent OHS in the Applefest Parade. That is what is right with kids.

Our girl’s golf team represented our school with class, dignity, and competitiveness. On a challenging course, they had a rough first day. The second day, they came out and played with passion. They worked their hardest to beat the course and the mental strain of a long competition. Although I was so proud of their play, I was even more proud of their etiquette. In a conversation with one of the parents, this mother mentioned that another spectator pointed out the etiquette of our girls. He stated, “Your girls always tend the pin.” As I watched, he was correct. No matter what the result of a hole, our girls were always the player tending the pin time and time again. If they had a terrible hole, they tended the pin. If they had a great hole, they tended the pin. They represented us well. They represented exactly what is right with kids.

Both our number 1 singles and doubles girl’s tennis teams made it to the state competition. Both played so well. Our number 1 doubles team won their first match and battled hard, but came up short in their second match. Our number 1 singles player made it to the state championship match. She also came up short, but she is the State Runner Up number 1 singles player. Although I was proud of each performance, I was even more proud when I was walking out of the building. I heard a group of parents talking about the Onalaska Girls Tennis teams. To sum up the conversation I eavesdropped upon, some parents said, “Our girls played well, but are such great kids. They play the game right and honest. They complement others when they do well, and are modest when they make great shots.” Girls, you are what is right with kids.

One of our teachers at the high school is working with her students to help keep the MTU running in Onalaska. She and two of her students attended a city council meeting with other students, parents, and teachers. One of the students spoke to the council about her feeling towards keeping the MTU running in Onalaska. Speaking publicly to several adults was very overwhelming for her, but she did a tremendous job and proved herself a remarkable young lady. I am very proud of her and the way she represented herself, other students, and Onalaska High School. She is what is right with kids.

October 22, 2010, I walked through the doors of OHS and was greeted by 6 smiling students wearing pink and holding a bucket. They kindly smiled and stated, “Donate a dollar, get a ribbon, and help the fight against cancer.” Some students donated, some just walked by, but what was so impressive is that no matter what happened the group still said to every person, “Have a great day.” How impressive! This effort was present at every door that people enter the school. And at every door, the kids were smiling and kind. Even more impressive? The group raised $400.00. That is what is right with kids.

So, in closing, I leave you with this thought. Days get long, times get tough, and choices kids make can bring you down. Just don’t let them keep you down for long. Look around because there are so many things happening that are right with kids. Therefore, I challenge you with this: If you see something or hear of something that is right with kids, write it down and drop it off in my office. I want to hear about it and write about it so that we can start to focus more on these positive choices and behaviors.

Finally, thanks OHS students. You make me proud to work here. I am proud of everything you all do to prove WHAT IS RIGHT WITH KIDS.