Making themselves heard
We applaud the Columbus high school students who have peacefully added their voices and actions to the national discussion on safe schools.
Students participated in a 17-minute walkout Friday to protest gun violence, coinciding with the 19th anniversary of the school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, which resulted in 15 people being killed. It also honored the 17 people killed during the Feb. 14 shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, which has sparked nationwide protests.
Previously, about 100 Central Middle School students had participated in a 17-minute walkout Feb. 21, a week after the Parkland shootings.
Students have an opinion on matters that affects them and want adults who can change laws to where they stand. That’s democracy in action.
Budding leader
Someday, Hope residents may reflect and say, “Natalie Taylor, we knew you when …” For nearly a full year, the 2017 Hauser High School graduate has been serving as an officer of Indiana FFA, an agriculture-related organization for students. Specifically, she’s been the state reporter, a position she was elected to last June, and is tasked with recording and publishing news of FFA activities to members statewide.
During her year in between high school and college, Taylor has helped plan FFA conferences, visited school chapters statewide, planned FFA competitions, given speeches at events and served as an FFA ambassador at non-FFA events.
She’s shown herself to be an outstanding young leader who is donating time to the cause of FFA and gaining valuable leadership experience in the process. Her efforts are something in which the community can take pride.
Good idea
A 10-foot-wide, multi-use path has been approved for construction this year across Interstate 65 along County Road 200S. The project, part of planned upgrades to the county road, is intended to provide safer travel for pedestrians and bicyclists on the north and south sides of 200S on the overpass.
This represents great forward-thinking and partnering among State of Indiana Department of Transportation, City of Columbus and Bartholomew County. Working together to link the west side and central Columbus, to aid travel other than by means of a vehicle, is a benefit for residents.
