Teens who give back so inspiring

Published 3:19 pm Friday, October 31, 2014

With all the problems and struggles we’ve been subjected to lately as a society at the local, national and international levels, (school shootings, Oso mudslide, Ebola, ISIS, etc.), I found it a welcome relief to read about the young men of the Mount Vernon football team in the article “The cleanup crew,” written by David Krueger. Reading about their postgame ritual, where the players, after a game, win or lose, go into the opponent’s stands and clean the trash made me proud to be from the “Northside.” Let me repeat, after their game, the football team walks into the stands and pick up trash at the opponent’s stadium; truly a classy move by a classy coach and team. This tradition started last year as way to “help improve their, and their opponents’ communities.

With what happened in Marysville, there couldn’t be a better time to reach to our communities, no matter your age or your interests. And I’ve seen this type of nonselfish behavior with other teams as well. I attended the Kamiak vs. Jackson football game on Oct. 10 at Everett Memorial Stadium and I noticed after the game the Jackson cheerleaders going into the stands with garbage bags to pick up trash. I inquired with one of them about this and come to find out they do it every game. Sometimes young people get a bad rap from “older” folks like me, but when I was in high school I never saw a cheerleader or football player do this type of community service. Kudos to the Mount Vernon football team, the Jackson cheer squad, and to all the young kids who donate their time to the community.

Erik Peterson

Bothell