Carbon County's finest
Over the last few days, I've had the opportunity to enjoy the company of the some of the finest Carbon County citizens - our students, our veterans and the Senior Games participants.
As a reporter, you get to meet a lot of people, learn their stories and, when you are lucky enough, build friendships.
On Monday morning, I sat as a spectator in Carbon County courtroom 1 witnessing a group of talented young high school students argue a case in front of judges that would make some of the area's seasoned lawyers proud.
These students showed just how much potential our future generation has if they put their minds to it and it was amazing seeing these young men and women shine in front of their peers.
That evening, I stood in the back of a meeting room at the Nesquehoning VFW Post 8008 watching as a group of men and women whom I have had the opportunity to learn from over the last few months celebrate Loyalty Day, a holiday seemingly forgotten by many but an important part of American culture.
They highlighted just what this country means and how each American has contributed to it, whether it be serving in the military or building a birdhouse to help the community. No act was too small and was greatly appreciated by the post.
On Tuesday, I stood and watched as 200 senior citizens gathered to kickoff the annual Carbon County Senior Games - an event I have had the pleasure of covering for the last 10 years.
Over the last decade, I have watched friendships form, team members pass away and hundreds of area seniors put their heart and soul into all the events they participate in. I have listened to them tell their stories, one in particular on how the senior games saved her life, and I have cried with others who have lost the loves of their life.
Each and every senior participant who has graced me with a hello during the games has touched my life in some way.
These Carbon County residents are the gatekeepers to this area's rich past and the key to the current generation's future.
They have beaten all odds and have pushed through the pains of growing old. They have successfully stayed young at heart and, because of that, keep young in mind, body and soul.
It was in these three moments that I realized just why I am in the profession I am in, why I choose to tell your stories and why I find it rewarding when I get to cover events like the three I mentioned above.
Over the last 11 years, I learned that to make a difference in this world, we must depend on the people around us and through my job, I have learned some of the most valuable life lessons through you, our readers.
These students, these veterans and these senior citizens are role models because they have not let others bring them down, or run from a challenge when tasked to serve and they sure have proved that just because you grow up, doesn't mean you can't still be young at heart.
