Recognizing Good In Kids Is Easy If You Just Look

Sat., Nov. 9, 1996

Tim Williams Special To Opinion

I live a good life, but many things concern me. I’m a man concerned with making a difference, a husband concerned with living faithfully, a father concerned with guiding ably, a public school teacher concerned with impacting my students effectively.

I read disparaging comments about kids who can’t read, can’t write, can’t add, can’t think. I work with some of these kids every day in my seventh-grade classes, and frankly, I expect them not to know everything at 12. I do expect them to try to get better, and they do.

But it’s not struggling kids who concern me right now. I’m concerned with great kids. I’m concerned they don’t get enough notice. The general public should see and hear more about those kids who are out there performing well.

Recently I met a young man who is a prime example. I play tennis about three times a week. One Saturday I stopped by Ferris High School to hit the ball against the practice wall. As I approached the courts, I watched a young man practicing his serve. I asked if he wanted to hit some. We introduced ourselves, and ultimately decided to play four games. He beat me 4-to-0.

He’s a senior in high school. He’s the number one singles player on his team. I found him to be polite and gracious. His game displayed power, strength, skill and consistency. I only had about a 45-minute experience with him, but he impressed me with his talent, work ethic and poise. What impressed me most was that I found him on Saturday afternoon at the tennis court, practicing. He was trying to get better at something he enjoys. He was paying the price.

But then I thought, “How representative is one young man in about 12,000 high school kids?” As he walked away, I knew the answer: “He’s very representative.”

I went to the opening night double-header at Albi Stadium. All four football teams suited at least 45 players. At half time, Ferris showed off 200 band members and 40 or so drill team members. They did an impressive routine they’re practicing to perform at this year’s Rose Bowl.

It seems to me that if we start doing the math, these good kids are everywhere. Every school has sports teams and bands and drama groups and choirs and a lot more. If we think not only of GSL schools, but also Reardan and Riverside and Deer Park, the Frontier schools, Liberty and Freeman, it’s easy to accept that there are great kids all over the place.

Shouldn’t we find more ways to praise and recognize these kids? Every one of them is trying to do things to get better. Can’t we sometimes accept the fact that we’re doing a lot of things pretty well?

MEMO: “Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.

“Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.

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