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“What is the matter with today’s youth?”
That question must have been asked in every language in every country on Earth since the beginning of the second generation of mankind.
It has surely been asked for decades in Woodford County.
Youth have surely tried the patience of adults with their hair, clothes, music, attitudes and driving.
Schools and parents are often blamed for every real or perceived shortcoming of youth.
But, no matter how much adults try to stereotype youth as lazy, stupid and self-centered there is always an exception to destroy the stereotype.
The latest youth to do that is a 10-year-old Germantown Hills girl named Elizabeth Mueller.
Mueller is proof-positive that parents and schools can and do succeed with character education — instilling depth, discipline and character — into our youth.
When Mueller heard of the plight of children born with a cleft palate she became consumed with doing something abut it.
She joined forces with Aley Hilst, who was born with a cleft palate, and raised almost enough money to pay for three operations to correct a cleft palate in other children.
They became tiny crusaders for good.
It is easy to forget sometimes how much potential youth possess.
It is sad we all think most fervently about that potential when a youth is tragically lost, as was the case with Cheyenne Burwell of Eureka who died of a gunshot.
Mueller, Hilst and Burwell are reminders we should never underestimate what our youth have the potential to tackle.
When we sell our youth short, and let them recognize that, we cheat them and ourselves.
Mueller’s mother, Becky, expressed that sentiment clearly.
“One little person can make such a difference. Being able to change lives is a wonderful testament to these girls efforts. We’re extremely proud of them.”
She should not be alone in that sentiment.
“What is the matter with today’s youth?”
That question must have been asked in every language in every country on Earth since the beginning of the second generation of mankind.
It has surely been asked for decades in Woodford County.
Youth have surely tried the patience of adults with their hair, clothes, music, attitudes and driving.
Schools and parents are often blamed for every real or perceived shortcoming of youth.
But, no matter how much adults try to stereotype youth as lazy, stupid and self-centered there is always an exception to destroy the stereotype.
The latest youth to do that is a 10-year-old Germantown Hills girl named Elizabeth Mueller.
Mueller is proof-positive that parents and schools can and do succeed with character education — instilling depth, discipline and character — into our youth.
When Mueller heard of the plight of children born with a cleft palate she became consumed with doing something abut it.
She joined forces with Aley Hilst, who was born with a cleft palate, and raised almost enough money to pay for three operations to correct a cleft palate in other children.
They became tiny crusaders for good.
It is easy to forget sometimes how much potential youth possess.
It is sad we all think most fervently about that potential when a youth is tragically lost, as was the case with Cheyenne Burwell of Eureka who died of a gunshot.
Mueller, Hilst and Burwell are reminders we should never underestimate what our youth have the potential to tackle.
When we sell our youth short, and let them recognize that, we cheat them and ourselves.
Mueller’s mother, Becky, expressed that sentiment clearly.
“One little person can make such a difference. Being able to change lives is a wonderful testament to these girls efforts. We’re extremely proud of them.”
She should not be alone in that sentiment.
