Young people are great; get to know one

February is We Value Kids Month in our county. I would like to express my value and respect for the students at Everett High School.

The ASB club is raising money to support those hurting in Haiti. The Be the Change Club is raising funds to help homeless teens. The school’s food drive fed 112 families and raised more than $9,700. A book drive collected 751 books to donate to the library and local charities. Those are just some examples.

I have the pleasure of knowing many of the EHS students due to my work with the Everett Housing Authority and Challenge Day. Being a teen, as I recall, was fun and a bit crazy. I love children and teens. They are learning what they are all about and who they are. Why have a heart for kids? They need us. We need them. Let’s see the possibility and love in them. If one seems to be hurting, treat them gently, like you would want your own child to be treated.

To value kids, simply say “hello,” give a hug, help them with homework, volunteer somewhere or just get to know the kids on your block. It really does take a village, we do not have to do anything alone. Young people are amazing. I was one once and in spite of mistakes made, I turned out OK. Our future is in great hands. Let’s continue to value kids. Do an “act of change” every day. It feels great.

Teena Ellison

Everett

Talk to us

More in Opinion

FILE — In this Sept. 17, 2020 file photo, provided by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Chelbee Rosenkrance, of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, holds a male sockeye salmon at the Eagle Fish Hatchery in Eagle, Idaho. Wildlife officials said Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, that an emergency trap-and-truck operation of Idaho-bound endangered sockeye salmon, due to high water temperatures in the Snake and Salomon rivers, netted enough fish at the Granite Dam in eastern Washington, last month, to sustain an elaborate hatchery program. (Travis Brown/Idaho Department of Fish and Game via AP, File)
Editorial: Pledge to honor treaties can save Columbia’s salmon

The Biden administration commits to honoring tribal treaties and preserving the rivers’ benefits.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Sept. 30

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Eco-nomics: Climate report card: Needs more effort but shows promise

A UN report shows we’re not on track to meet goals, but there are bright spots with clean energy.

Comment: Child tax credit works against child povery; renew it

After the expanded credit ended in 2021, child poverty doubled. It’s an investment we should make.

Matthew Leger
Forum: Amenian festival shows global reach of vounteers

A Kamiak student helped organize a festival and fundraiser for the people of a troubled region.

Dan Hazen
Forum: Things aren’t OK, boomers; but maybe the kids are

Older generations wrote the rules to fit their desires, but maybe there’s hope in their grandchildren.

Comment:Transition to clean energy isn’t moving quickly enough

Solar energy and EV sales are booming but we have a long way to go to come near our global warming goal.

Patricia Gambis, right, talks with her 4-year-old twin children, Emma, left, and Etienne in their home, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Maplewood, N.J. Gambis' husband, an FBI agent, has been working without pay during the partial United States government shutdown, which has forced the couple to take financial decisions including laying off their babysitter. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Editorial: Shutdown hits kids, families at difficult moment

The shutdown risks food aid for low-income families as child poverty doubled last year and child care aid ends.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Sept. 29

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Most Read