A few points from atop the Soapbox
Need inspiration?
It's not just the Class of 2020 that can use the inspiration of great graduation speeches. Check out wisdom from Arlington Heights native Sebastian Maniscalco speaking to this year's class, Jimmy Fallon at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Philadelphia in 1967, and more at dailyherald.com/topics/prep-graduations.
Honor our graduates
Make sure to check Sunday for the keepsake special section honoring our suburban high schools' remarkable Class of 2020.
Rushing to provide aid
Timing is everything, especially for a worker whose riding lawn mower overturned on him in a Bartlett pond. A co-worker's shouts brought five people from nearby Frontline Communications Contracting and Helm Manufacturing running. Thanks to the heroes who had him out of the water and breathing before paramedics arrived.
Enjoy the fireworks, but be smart:
While most suburbs have canceled their Independence Day fireworks shows, the Schaumburg Boomers will host a pair of drive-in displays July 3 and 4. Enjoy the show but be smart because COVID-19 won't take a holiday.
Real prep sports champions
While the COVID-19 pandemic shut down high school sports, it didn't stop us from recognizing some of the best accomplishments of the 2019-20 school year. Over the past two weeks, we've presented our Prep Sports Excellence Awards and our eight athletes of the year. Each of them have had great stories to tell and we salute them all.
A needed break
Kudos to the Northwest Suburban High School District 214 board, which is giving families a much-needed financial break by waiving a $425-per-student registration fee for the 2020-21 school year. The district will make up for the estimated $3.7 million hit by dipping into its substantial reserves.
Masks are not political statements
One of the most frustrating aspects of the fight to control COVID-19 is the ongoing misunderstanding of the role masks play. Masks are an important way of helping to protect others from any virus you otherwise may unknowingly spread. If we all wore them, we'd greatly rein in the pandemic.
Help for the helpers
During the pandemic, many service organizations that help those in need have felt the economic pinch first-hand. This is why we created the weekly series Helping the Helpers - to showcase adversely affected suburban service organizations that are a vital part of our community. Check out the series, and consider helping if you can.
How time flies
It seems like yesterday, that Dan Aykroyd, Wheaton's John Belushi and "The Blues Brothers" splashed across the silver screen with all its suburban scenes. Forty years!
This week's clippable quote
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted:"Aesop, ancient Greek author.
Speaking of quotes, send yours
Hey, we started, almost by accident three weeks ago, adding a quote to the Soapbox, and we find ourselves getting inspired by them. If you've got a favorite quote, email us at fencepost@dailyherald.com and we'll try to include it.