The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.

Fighting the good fight

You won't find superheroes just on the big screen. On June 15, you'll catch them at the Palatine Towne Square, some maybe even for the 12th straight year, in the Superhero 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run. These superheroes will indeed be in costume, setting out to help the homeless and those at risk of it. A super idea for a way to be heroic.

New COD president

Congratulations to Brian Caputo, who gets to remove the "interim" tag from his title as president of College of DuPage. Caputo, who officially will replace Ann Rondeau beginning July 1, previously served as vice president of administrative affairs and treasurer. We like what he told us "This is all about service for me."

Shock and awwwww ...

We couldn't help but smile when we saw Lt. Col. Robert Gerlach surprise his children during a magic show at Munhall Elementary School in St. Charles. Gerlach had just returned from deployment in the Middle East. The looks on the faces of Colin and Ava, both 6½, when he appeared from behind a curtain said all we need to know. It's good to have you back, Dad.

Best of the best

Congratulations to the high school students whose hard work and talent earned them a spot on our 2018-2019 Academic Team. The possibilities are truly endless for these young people. Their future is bright, and so is ours because of them.

A commitment to serve

It is amazing what one person can do to help others. First, in one week, Anisha Patel of Arlington Heights raised nearly $35,000 for Viator House of Hospitality and Bethany House of Hospitality, safe houses for young immigrant men. Then, she organized an iftar dinner to break the Ramadan fast, with the immigrants and those who supported them. Thank you, Anisha.

Remembering Bill Buckner

High School Sports Editor John Radtke arranged in the early 1980s for Bill Buckner, who died this week, to speak at the Hampshire VFW. The Cubs played a 13-inning game that day. Buckner had someone call Radtke to say he was still coming. Buckner drove alone from Wrigley Field to Hampshire, addressed the crowd for a half-hour then stayed late to sign every autograph request. A fine person gone too soon.

Officer friendly?

Aurora Police Officer Chris Weaver's entertaining social media posts help make cops more approachable and allows them to spread their message in a non-threatening way. Kudos to him!

Next generation

Kudos to Prospect High School's Ayse Eldes, who has been named Northern Illinois High School Journalist of the Year. Her teacher described her as the school paper's "moral compass." We're always looking for the next generation's top journalists to carry the torch.

Worthy of note

The Rev. Medard Laz will celebrate his jubilee as a priest at the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass at Holy Family church in Inverness, which he established in 1984. Since leaving the Northwest suburbs in 1995, he has worked in national ministries for children, the widowed and the poverty-stricken in Haiti. Congratulations, Father Laz!

Thanks for your service

Last weekend across the suburbs, we paused to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country. Today, let's thank the volunteers who made all of those Memorial Day ceremonies, services and parades happen. We appreciate all you do to help us reflect and remember.