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

This editorial represents the consensus opinion of The Daily Herald Editorial Board.

Commencement conclusion

Christian Liberty's graduation ceremony today will wrap up high school commencement season in our area. We salute the Class of 2022 from across the suburbs and wish grads well in their next endeavor - whether that's going to college, learning a trade, serving in the military, decompressing during a gap year or a finding full-time job.

Congrats, athletes

The prep sports season is going out with a ping this weekend as the state baseball and softball tournaments wrap up in Joliet and Peoria, respectively. Good luck to the area teams competing this weekend. After a couple of COVID-19 altered years, it's good to see things getting back to normal.

Rock on

Suburban grade school students from Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge and Maplebrook Elementary School in Naperville teamed up to get Illinois what it has long been missing: a state rock. And on Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker praised their efforts as he signed a bill that designated dolostone to fill this solid role. Great job, kids.

Marching with new Pride

It's good to see Aurora's Pride parade is back on for Sunday. Financial incentives lured enough police officers to staff the event, but it's unfortunate its fate hung in the balance so late. Issues at the root of the controversy have nothing to do with the parade's theme. Let's hope they don't dampen its important, festive mood.

Special Olympians inspire

Madhu Krishnamurthy's piece this week on Special Olympics athletes participating in their first USA Games showed how the program has provided an uplifting community for the athletes and their families - and how dedicated coaches and supporters help them succeed. Good luck to the 105 Team Illinois athletes as the Florida games wrap up Sunday.

Be ticked off

What experts call "a perfect storm of conditions" is contributing to a notable increase in tick populations this year. But as one expert adds, "It's always a bad year for ticks." Keep that in mind on your hikes, parks and visits to suburban forest preserves. Use precautions and the state's Tick Surveillance Map at www.dph.illinois.gov.

Change in the offing?

Show of hands: Who thinks Tony LaRussa will still be managing the White Sox at the end of the summer? The end of the month?

Now, that's recycling

Is it a commitment to the environment or just the state of the hot housing market that enabled a St. Charles home built from reused shipping containers to sell quickly? Maybe both - with a dash of style to add to the three-bedroom home's appeal. Whatever the reason, it's great to see a fascinating idea succeed.

Whimsical exhibition

The gardens at Cantigny Park in Wheaton have welcomed alebrijes, sculptures of mythical creatures created by visiting artists from Mexico. "Alebrijes Creatures of a Dream World" consists of 48 brightly colored sculptures and runs through October. If you haven't already seen Cantigny Park, here's another reason to make the trip.

This week's Clippable Quote

"If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain." - Dolly Parton