Stories inspire us to stick necks out
I'd like to commend the Daily Herald for its Dec. 2 edition, featuring not just one, but two articles on the front page offering subject matter other than violent crimes, video poker and Tiger Woods' errant drives. Better yet, the articles featured two individuals from which we might all have something to learn.
The first article featured Michael Bregy, principal of Jacobs High School. Mr. Bregy, back at the beginning of the school year, had what many likely viewed as a truly crazy idea - giving his personal cell phone number to every student at Jacobs, 2,400 adolescents who suddenly could reach him anytime day or night with the touch of a couple buttons. His "crazy" idea suddenly justified itself in a single moment, as his contact with a student in early November may have saved a life.
The second article, no less remarkable, featured a young man wise beyond his years, Zach Hirsch of St. Charles. Zach saw another student at his high school sitting alone in a crowded lunchroom and had a thought. He checked his thought, to offer friendship to the boy, with his mother, which may be the most remarkable aspect of the story. With her encouragement, he befriended the boy, who truly had none of his own, and began to change his world.
There are some similarities here. Bregy and Hirsch both took unselfish risks. They each did something which others may have considered but perhaps declined due to possible repercussions. Both had hopes they could make an impact, but neither knew entirely how, or what lay ahead. And despite the remarkable stories, both brought about major change with a relatively small act, creating change that will reverberate for a lifetime for that girl and boy, their families and all who come in contact with them.
It all started with a pair of simple ideas and became reality when they trusted their hearts and the thought that they could maybe make a small difference.
It's not always easy to trust your heart when there are risks involved. But for me, thanks to their stories, next time, it might be a little easier.
Larry Frank
Cary