During the past seven years I have had the good fortune to be a math teacher at Horizon High School in northeast Phoenix. During this time I have observed many wonderful young people doing great things with their lives. They have school and family commitments. They work part-time jobs, participate in school activities and try to maintain a social life. The vast majority are honest, hard working and so busy that you wonder how they get it all done.
Teenagers are the lifeblood and future of our community.
All of their hopes and dreams represent what the future holds for their generation. They offer tremendous potential and ability. We as a community should support and encourage young people to be successful in whatever goals they seek to accomplish. All teenagers should not be castigated and forced to pay for the faults of a few. We should treat teens as individuals and recognize that as human beings that they do make mistakes.