Column: “Star Scholars” Shine

by Woody

Relax, Future Is In Great Hands

 

Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States from 1953 to 1969, famously ruled: “I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people’s accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man’s failures.”

 

            The sports world has since offered up a dissenting opinion. Today, Warren would spit out his morning coffee reading about performance-enhancing drug cheats, grade scandals and worse in the sports section.1scholars

 

Indeed, too often there are no pages to turn for people’s accomplishments.

 

Which is why I always look forward to late April when my favorite newspaper runs its annual “Star Scholar Awards” section, as it did once again earlier this week.

 

            The 31st edition honored 88 of Ventura County’s top seniors from the Class of 2014. To read their profiles is to feel a swell of pride and optimism for our collective future. Tomorrow is in good hands.

 

            The Star Scholars are the perfect tonic for widespread complaints like this: “I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words. When I was young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly (disrespectful) and impatient.”

 

            So grumbled Hesiod, a Greek poet in eighth century BC.

 

            Here’s a more recent criticism: “The world is passing through troublous times. The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They talk as if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As for the girls, they are forward, immodest and unladylike in speech, behavior and dress.”

 

This denunciation was delivered in a sermon by Peter the Hermit, a priest and key figure during the First Crusade, in 1274.

 

            Things haven’t much changed in 2014. Today’s generation gets an earful about feeling entitled, playing video games, having inflated self-esteem, ad nauseam.

 

            To these naysayers I proudly point out The Star Scholars. Reading their 88 biographies almost makes you begin to think “ho-hum” about 4.3 and 4.5 and 4.8 grade point averages.

 

            Amazingly, the Star Scholars’ stratospheric GPAs are about the least amazing thing about them. Their consequence extends far beyond the classroom.

 

They don’t just play sports, they are team captains. They compete on basketball and tennis and volleyball courts – and in Mock Trial courts.

 

They are class presidents and philanthropists; violinists and black belts.

 

They act in plays; choreograph and perform dances; march in bands and play in orchestras.

 

They write for school newspapers and yearbooks; win ribbons at science fairs and medals in Academic Decathlon.

 

            They also collectively perform nearly as much volunteer work as the Red Cross and UNICEF combined. They lead blood drives and canned food drives – and drive the elderly to doctor appointments. They tutor youngsters and tidy up beaches. They assist at local hospitals and travel abroad on mercy missions.

 

For example, Aashal Patel – this year’s recipient of the special $5,000 Julius Gius Star Scholarship in recognition of The Star’s late esteemed editor – last summer made a three-week humanitarian trip to an orphanage in Africa. Mother Teresa would be pleased.

 

            You look at the resumes of these young role models and wonder when they find time to sleep. You figure they must have unraveled the space-time continuum and their days last 48 hours.

 

            Here is something else marvelous – each Star Scholar has numerous peers of great accomplishment at her/his school who are deserving of similar recognition. Indeed, I guarantee you The Star’s special 16-page section could have easily been 32 pages or even 64.

 

In the introduction to a collection of his “Editor’s Notebook” columns, Julius Gius wrote: “I have had a rich and rewarding life. Everything has come up roses for me. … I count my blessings every day and wish them for everyone.”

 

The future looks more rosy thanks to youth like these Star Scholars. It seems fitting there are 88 of them, one for each key on a piano, for they promise to create beautiful music in the decades to come.

 

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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.

 

Check out my new memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece”