And The Children Shall Lead Us …..

CBHS embraces diversity and the contributions of all its students

For many people, Presidents’ Day is time for looking back at the accomplishments of our forefathers. Today’s media makes such reminiscing extremely easy with revisionist perspectives on how much better the “good old days” were as opposed to the challenging times in which we now live. In fact, one can scarcely catch a local story without hearing reports of a “lost generation”… allegedly, our youth are self-absorbed and lazy with a profound sense of entitlement. I am very pleased to report that modern science and extensive research by the Pew Center have proved that assumption entirely false.

As a demographic group, today’s teens are more ethnically and racially diverse than any other generation in US history. They are also the most educated generation in American history. They are predominately liberal and, in spite of being buffeted by wars, a recession and unemployment, Millennials are surprising upbeat about the future. I think that even our 16th President would be pleased to see how united this diverse demographic group stands.

Perhaps it is their diversity coupled with the ease of their electronic engagement with virtual strangers that allow Millennials to embrace all levels of ability and skill. For Millennials, acceptance and community inclusion are more than “just a good idea”, it is an innate part “who they are” as a generation.

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a high school dance and see first hand the effects of long-term “mainstreaming” on a student body. At one of the largest schools in the entire country, the captain of the football team danced with good friends who just happened to be ESE students (some in wheelchairs and others with assistive equipment.)  There was a paraplegic cheerleader in a fierce competition with members of the baseball team. All showcasing their best “Bernie” skills.

Most of the students at the 4.2K populated high school have been known each other since kindergarten. Still, the most amazing thing to me that evening was that not one of the students seemed to find any of these activities “out of the ordinary” and/or in anyway “amazing.” It was just another party with their friends and everyone was included in the Conga line.

As Presidents’ Day has come and gone without much fanfare and as our 2012 presidential campaign kicks into high gear with great fanfare, I am hopeful that as a country, we will appreciate the amazing times in which we are living. Moreover, I hope we will use this time to learn from our kids about the value that each and every member of our community brings to the group.

Come on EVERYBODY do the Conga <3