Civics and Blitz

You want good citizens, you need good high schools.  Driving by the Morton West football field yesterday reminded me of that simple, profound truth.

Morton probably won’t be very good in the fall; a predominantly Hispanic student body tends more toward soccer and basketball, even.  But still the Mustangs try.  They were on the field practicing, in their three-point stances or running up and down the grandstand along Harlem Avenue.  I remember how everyone always talked about Mustang Pride.

Last week, a young Mustang rang our doorbell and screwed up his courage to offer a discount card good at area stores; proceeds go to the football program.  His face turned to wonder when Michele said, “Yes, I’ll buy one.  Our daughter went to Morton and played softball.”  If only this one time, the boy saw the power of his words on another person.  A few hours later, two other Mustangs rang the bell to try their luck.  They experienced the agony of getting beat.

I know what softball did for Clare and her teammates, how it defined and gave purpose.  We were lucky that a number of teachers did as much, too; girls especially have little future as jocks-only.  In grade school, things don’t seem to count the way they do starting in the ninth grade; Santa’s gone, the ACT has taken his place.  Everything went perfectly for our daughter at Morton.  She started on varsity all four years, and she was encouraged to lead, on the field and in the classroom.  I see the boys running sprints, putting away equipment after practice, and I behold the wonder of civic engagement.  For this, I’ll gladly pay taxes.