• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

Kids these days - a glimmer of hope…

Mark1911

Mark1911

Well-known member
I had a very moving experience a few weeks ago that seems to be staying with me, and I think it’s worth sharing.

I have a daughter who’s a senior in high school and competes in debate. I often volunteer to judge at debate tournaments for a couple of reasons: I enjoy watching young people make well reasoned arguments in a respectful manner (and giving them copious feedback), and because they always need qualified judges for the varsity events.

Anyway, most debate tournaments run behind schedule, and this one a few weeks ago was no exception. So at 10pm, 90% of the competitors (about 250 kids) were scattered throughout the auditorium in groups waiting for the final rounds to finish so the awards could be announced. The school had a DJ of sorts playing music over the PA system in the auditorium, and when I walked in it was hip hop-ish song that no one was really paying attention to. I took a seat in the back row and started scrolling through email on my phone. Just then the DJ spun-up Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, and something magical happened - virtually ALL the kids started singing, word for word, Bohemian Rhapsody. As the song progressed, the boys and girls sang opposing lines to eachother - it was surreal. I would have bet that it was rehearsed, but these were kids from a dozen different schools…

Next song up was Sweet Caroline - same thing, every kid belting it out with wide smiles. Then It was Don’t Stop Belivin’ - perhaps the most enthusiastic performance yet by these kids. I was dumb-struck that not only did these kids KNOW these songs well enough to know ALL the words, they were HAVING A BALL singing them with eachother. Maybe I’m a little weird here but I have to be honest, it was a very moving experience. Then the DJ went back to some present day pop something or other, and as fast as it arrived, the magic was gone.

I’ll be the first to admit that Debate Kids are an odd bunch (in a good way), but my faith in the future generation was bolstered just a bit that night. I doubt I will ever forget that experience - I feel grateful to have been there to see such a natural expression of joy.
 
Mark1911 said:
I had a very moving experience a few weeks ago that seems to be staying with me, and I think it’s worth sharing.

I have a daughter who’s a senior in high school and competes in debate. I often volunteer to judge at debate tournaments for a couple of reasons: I enjoy watching young people make well reasoned arguments in a respectful manner (and giving them copious feedback), and because they always need qualified judges for the varsity events.

Anyway, most debate tournaments run behind schedule, and this one a few weeks ago was no exception. So at 10pm, 90% of the competitors (about 250 kids) were scattered throughout the auditorium in groups waiting for the final rounds to finish so the awards could be announced. The school had a DJ of sorts playing music over the PA system in the auditorium, and when I walked in it was hip hop-ish song that no one was really paying attention to. I took a seat in the back row and started scrolling through email on my phone. Just then the DJ spun-up Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, and something magical happened - virtually ALL the kids started singing, word for word, Bohemian Rhapsody. As the song progressed, the boys and girls sang opposing lines to eachother - it was surreal. I would have bet that it was rehearsed, but these were kids from a dozen different schools…

Next song up was Sweet Caroline - same thing, every kid belting it out with wide smiles. Then It was Don’t Stop Belivin’ - perhaps the most enthusiastic performance yet by these kids. I was dumb-struck that not only did these kids KNOW these songs well enough to know ALL the words, they were HAVING A BALL singing them with eachother. Maybe I’m a little weird here but I have to be honest, it was a very moving experience. Then the DJ went back to some present day pop something or other, and as fast as it arrived, the magic was gone.

I’ll be the first to admit that Debate Kids are an odd bunch (in a good way), but my faith in the future generation was bolstered just a bit that night. I doubt I will ever forget that experience - I feel grateful to have been there to see such a natural expression of joy.
Click to expand...
I feel faith in future generations.
Because they are very open minded and loving and accepting and not afraid to achieve what they dream.
I saw a boy playing violin on a seat last night.
They are stubborn too but sweet. They learn to say no and I have seen it myself.
I love Don't stop believin' by Journey.
It reminds me of Glee, the first season.
 
laulau15 said:
I feel faith in future generations.
Because they are very open minded and loving and accepting and not afraid to achieve what they dream.
I saw a boy playing violin on a seat last night.
They are stubborn too but sweet. They learn to say no and I have seen it myself.
I love Don't stop believin' by Journey.
It reminds me of Glee, the first season.
Click to expand...
I coach at both high school and collegiate levels. 4 different clubs. All competitive students in the schools.

But I would largely disagree with you. In fact I call BULLSHIT on your statement.

There are INDIVIDUALS who are stubborn and strive to do things. There are INDIVIDUALS who work to succeed. But there are also plenty of "sheep" among these few strong individuals who push ahead for excellence.

I see it in their sports.

I see it in their academics.

I see it in their vocations.

80% are simple sheep or drones or whatever you want to call them, who just go along with the flow.

20% work hard at something. Anything. They push for a real reward. Be it a grade, a trade, or a trophy. They stand out as leaders. They stand out above and beyond. Most do not. And honestly most are simply afraid of failure so therefore they don't try to succeed.

Look at the media headlines for proof. Look how Trump was vilified for filing bankruptcy a half dozen or so times. Most people are too afraid to try to succeed so they never take a risk. Most people are mediocre. Most people seem to strive for average. Socialist theories are based on mediocre performance rather than striving or working for success.
 
Melensdad said:
I coach at both high school and collegiate levels. 4 different clubs. All competitive students in the schools.

But I would largely disagree with you. In fact I call BULLSHIT on your statement.

There are INDIVIDUALS who are stubborn and strive to do things. There are INDIVIDUALS who work to succeed. But there are also plenty of "sheep" among these few strong individuals who push ahead for excellence.

I see it in their sports.

I see it in their academics.

I see it in their vocations.

80% are simple sheep or drones or whatever you want to call them, who just go along with the flow.

20% work hard at something. Anything. They push for a real reward. Be it a grade, a trade, or a trophy. They stand out as leaders. They stand out above and beyond. Most do not. And honestly most are simply afraid of failure so therefore they don't try to succeed.

Look at the media headlines for proof. Look how Trump was vilified for filing bankruptcy a half dozen or so times. Most people are too afraid to try to succeed so they never take a risk. Most people are mediocre. Most people seem to strive for average. Socialist theories are based on mediocre performance rather than striving or working for success.
Click to expand...
I agree - the problem is that kids are largely not pushed to succeed in today’s world, and they are rarely held accountable. I feel very blessed that my daughter is so driven - god knows she’s far more driven than I was at her age. She is in her senior year, and she is the captain of the debate team, President of National Honor Society, leadership of the yearbook staff, and most impressive, she will graduate college with her associate’s degree the month BEFORE she has her high school graduation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top