Varsity jackets have publicly honored athletes since the late 1800′s. Parade magazine started recognizing the best high school athletes in 1957. Bumper stickers have identified the cars of athletes’ families and banners have identified their homes for more than 30 years, I would guess. Accomplished athletes have always stood as heroes in America, as they did in ancient Greece and probably just about every culture in between.
And as they say, what gets measured is what gets done. And what we demonstrate that we value as a society is what children in that society aspire to be.
How many kids dream of growing up to be superstar athletes, receiving the praise and glory of adoring crowds (including their parents) when they score the game-winning points? Undoubtedly a lot more than dream of leading a major effort to reform their neighborhood schools, to improve people’s access to quality health care or to reinvigorate the practice of organic backyard gardening.
Baby Steps
But in the last few years, America has started to introduce new heroes and prominently recognize new kinds of leadership–kinds that actually contribute to our society.
- There’s the Slate 60 that recognizes the country’s biggest philanthropists
- On the grassroots level there’s the Serve America Act that attempts to re-invigorate the idea and practice of community service.
- The Public Service Loan Forgiveness provisions allow someone working full-time in the public sector (including government, health care or at a 501(c)(3) organization) to have their federal student loan balance wiped out after 120 payments, half the time required for those in the private sector.
- I’ve noticed my Chicago Tribune has started a sort of “volunteer of the week” feature. It’s true that one story recognizing someone who gives back (in one narrowly defined way) is not close to an entire sports section every day, but it’s a start.
These are just a few examples. The more we celebrate service to society (in all it’s forms), the more we demonstrate to young people that this is what we value. This is what’s important. This is where you find meaning and fulfillment in life.
The All-America High School Service Team
I’m happy to see that Parade magazine, well-known for its “All America High School Teams” recognizing young athletes, for the first time ever is putting together a new team “to recognize outstanding high school students who have made significant contributions to their communities.” For all the details, and to nominate a leader you know, visit Parade.com/service. Nominations are due April 15th.
Let’s Pick Up the Pace
We need more high-profile celebrations of young people who benefit society. Local papers could adopt their own version of an “All-Region Service Team” and school districts could have a community service Hall of Fame to complement the one they have for athletes. Reality shows could celebrate a different young person or established community leader every week.
I’ve never been one to think social change work has to be thankless and financially difficult to be meaningful. Human beings crave acceptance, which often manifests in the form of recognition and reward. Instead of fighting it and thereby limiting our recruitment pool to the self-sacrificing types, why not offer the thanks and recognition that we, as a society, should properly offer to those working for our common benefit?
