This event is organized by the Environmental and Agricultural Academy students at Columbia High School with several local businesses helping out with food, T-shirts and other supplies. Later that morning, we returned to a central area with our stacks of trash for sorting. Fortunately, a significant portion can be recycled. Besides the obvious benefits to the environment, it was a reward in itself to see so many young people from all walks of life involved in a volunteer activity. There were middle school students, high school students, varsity athletes, cheerleaders, honor students and people of all races.
Adults are quick to criticize young people and their behavior when it's bad.
Likewise, we should recognize our children when they are involved in worthwhile activities. In society and parenting, we sometimes dwell on the negative more than we celebrate the positive. Events such as Saturday's lake cleanup help keep things in the proper perspective.