How I Spent my Summer Vacation

Pounding the pavement -- Recent graduate Chad Nelson and BHS sophomore Calvin Young can be spotted ‘round town putting in some base miles in preparation for next year’s cross country and track seasons. You’ve heard the lament: “Teenagers today -- what are we to DO about them?” Well, speaking as the mother, foster mother, step-mother and host mother of roughly two dozen teens (and champion of many others), I wish to take the stand in their defense. From all that I see, the future of our country is in very capable young hands.

Teenagers often get a bum rap. Perhaps it is a case of the few bad apples spoiling things for the rest of the barrel. While there probably ARE a few kids to whom you wouldn’t want to turn over the Keys to the City, an honest look around town reveals that most of our community’s teens are ambitious, hard-working, self-motivated young people who are finding ways to serve in the community this summer.

(RIGHT) Service with a smile -- BHS sophomore Karlee Ferguson has a warm smile for Davis customers Colton and Linda Welch of Marquez. Van’Go’photos Several area churches are hosting a VBS this summer, and many of the volunteer workers are high schoolers who roll out of bed early and set a great example for the little kids, while making the VBS a lot more fun.

Other teens are working at summer jobs, often at their family’s place of business. They are mowing yards, stocking shelves, sacking groceries and babysitting.

Buffalo’s dedicated athletes know that staying in shape requires a year-round commitment, and the gyms and weight rooms are filled -- yes, even in the heat of summer -- with dedicated, sweaty teens who know what it takes to get to the top of their game.

So, next time you hear someone putting down our teens, challenge them to take a look around. It will be an eye-opening experience.
BHS seniors Kaila Grissett and Meredith Shaw lead VBS preschoolers to their next station.
BHS freshman Kayla Ray runs herd on a farkle of first graders at First Baptist Church’s VBS last week.
BHS senior Jordan Canady weed-eats around the City Barn as a summer employee of the City of Buffalo.
BHS junior Jordan Nix leads a worship song with the Ranch Hand Band during last week’s performance of “Donkey Tales” at The Abiding Place’s Kids Camp.
BHS senior Logan Beard builds muscle for football season by loading a pallet of feed for a customer at Davis Country Store.
(ABOVE) Junior Curtis Yates will be looking FORWARD to two-a-days after spending this week supervising 5th and 6th graders at Vacation Bible School!
(RIGHT) Junior Brooke Mills sets up a display of work gloves in her summer job at Davis Country Store.