As a high school English teacher for almost thirty years, I used to get frustrated by the misconception about young people.\u00a0 Based on newspaper reports and TV news, the only stories readers and viewers often saw about the young were reports of teenagers getting into trouble.\u00a0 As a teacher, I saw so many really terrific young students, who far outnumbered the troubled ones, that I thought it unfair when people spoke of the \u201cyouth of today\u201d.<\/p>\n
This week offered up two very good examples of what I am talking about.\u00a0 On Thursday night, the 45th<\/sup> annual McDonald\u2019s All-Star Football Classic was held.\u00a0 This event is held every year to raise money for the many McDonald charities including the Ronald McDonald houses that offer a residence for the families of their hospitalized children.\u00a0 The game has been responsible for raising close to a million dollars.<\/p>\n This year, 90 senior football players, cheerleaders, and their volunteer coaches suffered through two weeks of practice in extremely hot, humid, and wet weather in order to prepare for the game.\u00a0 Their only \u201ccompensation\u201d was a plaque signifying their participation and the RCN banquet on the eve of the game to thank them.<\/p>\n Their assignment is three-fold \u2013 have fun, play competitively, and fill the stands.\u00a0 They met all their goals.<\/p>\n On Thursday afternoon, I was introduced to George Pektor.\u00a0 He had just finished his sophomore year at Blair Academy.\u00a0 George, also, attended Moravian Academy prior to this past year.\u00a0 George Pektor is a special person.<\/p>\n He understands that he is a person of \u201cprivilege\u201d.\u00a0 He attends elite schools and has had many opportunities not afforded to many and, most importantly and most impressively, he knows it.\u00a0 He, also, loves the game of basketball.\u00a0 That love has taken him to a number of expensive AAU and travel basketball programs. \u00a0And, despite his young age, he came to realize that there are potentially many good inner city athletes who have not been offered the opportunities he has had.\u00a0 He felt a duty to do something about that.<\/p>\n During the next two weeks, at the Jewish Community Center in Allentown, the very first GO PRO SKILLS CAMP will take place.\u00a0 120 boys, ages 13-17, who would not be able to afford or participate in such a program, will learn basketball skills.\u00a0 In addition, the program will offer both motivational and inspirational messages from both pro athletes and renowned coaches.\u00a0 Athletic development, as well as personal development, for these young people, were George\u2019s primary goals for the program.<\/p>\n This camp, like all the ones George attended, is expensive.\u00a0 There were transportation costs, equipment costs, and unforeseen meal costs (the Jewish Community Center required more expensive kosher lunches be served).\u00a0 Suffice it to say, George needed sponsors.\u00a0 No problem.\u00a0 He found seventeen of them!<\/p>\n The years in teaching and in athletics have taught me there are plenty of really good young people out there.<\/p>\n I met 91 of them this week alone!<\/strong><\/p>\n ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n