The Soapbox: A Barrington student's work for Nepal, an Olympics race walker from Elgin, an indomitable spirit in Naperville and more.

Better in November?

Nice to see McHenry County Clerk Mary McClellan vowing to do better come fall after the state elections board concluded some voters in the March election likely were unable to do so. Of the confusion and slowness that surrounded the March vote, McClellan says, "I promise that won't be an issue in November."

Parents deserve credit, too:

Doug Graham's story Monday about Ian McKeirnan, the Barrington middle schooler who went to Nepal for 12 days to teach first aid, had to have readers asking, "What 12-year-old does this?" Our answer, a really good kid, who has the good fortune to be born to parents who set the bar high. Here's to Edwin and Angela McKeirnan.

Name in lights:

Among the 16 Tony Award nominations for megahit musical "Hamilton" is one for Libertyville native Phillipa Soo for her portrayal of Hamilton's wife Eliza. We'll be rooting for Soo, 25, when awards are handed out next month.

No ordinary walk(er)

For most of us, walking isn't the most athletic of endeavors, but seeing Anali Cisneros in action dispels any doubt race walking is a sport. For the Elgin teen featured this week as a Daily Herald Suburban Standout, the sport has taken her to competitions across the globe, and in four years could lead to Olympic glory. We'll follow every step.

A great team effort

A tip of the softball cap for teams from Rolling Meadows, Palatine, Hersey and Fremd high schools for throwing their support behind 19-month-old Madden Manz and the challenges he faces with Rhett Syndrome, a neuromuscular genetic disorder. Their games raised awareness and money for the fight. To help, visit rettsyndrome.org.

Palatine, Fremd step up:

Kudos to the baseball programs at Palatine and Fremd for jointly holding a fundraiser for 2015 Palatine grad and baseball and basketball player Chris Macahon, who was diagnosed with colon cancer. More than 600 people turned out for the game, in which Macahon was named an honorary assistant coach by Palatine head coach Paul Belo.

Roll out the red carpet

Suburban businesses are behind many good deeds. Cheny Furniture is celebrating its new Libertyville store by donating furniture to Lambs Farm, a not-for-profit organization that helps people with developmental disabilities, and holding a raffle to benefit Feed My Starving Children, which gives meals to underprivileged. That's worth a big welcome.

Tough calls:

While many of us will disagree with the decision by a USA Basketball committee to leave Naperville's Candace Parker off the U.S. Olympic team, there is a positive to note. The U.S. basketball pool for women is more talented than ever, making a "snub" possible. While that's good for the game, it's not good for Parker, who still has a lot of game.

Naperville teen demonstrates ...:

Jungin "Angie" Lee is a 17-year-old from Naperville who has spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that weakens the nerves in the spinal cord and decreases muscle strength. Here's what it can't do: weaken her spirit. Nine years ago she and a friend, Kyra Scadden, founded Angie's Hope, a nonprofit group to raise money to fight the disease.

... an unbreakable spirit:

This week, Angie, a student at Metea Valley High School, learned she was named one of the nation's 10 top youth volunteers in the 21st annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. It's a well-deserved honor, Angie. Way to go.

And they're off ...:

Arlington International Racecourse opened the gates Friday on a new 74-day summer of racing. As Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said this week, the track is "one of our great businesses" - for the town and for the region. Events for Kentucky Derby Day today and Mother's Day Sunday start the season off in style. Welcome back, Arlington.