Linda Meza
Every now and again – if you’re paying attention – people will behave in such a way that a wellspring of optimism just bubbles up from inside and leaves you with a smile on your face. Personally speaking when that happens I mark those moments and use them to counter the daily diet of negativity the press serves up.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing two such events in just as many weeks: the first being the presentation by Rona Zollinger’s EAS students to the Alhambra Creek Beavers subcommittee meeting February 19th. What these youth may have lacked in polish they more than made up for in passion. Anyone who has or is raising teenagers knows that passion can take all sorts of interesting twists and turns, and sadly some can lead to choices which carry life long consequences. I have every confidence that the students I met that night are and will continue to make excellent choices.
The second such moment happened this past Sunday when our intrepid mascot Chip made his debut appearance at the Escobar Street Bridge. One of those cute little Mini Coopers was driving up the street just as Chip introduced himself to me and like some scene from Ringling Brothers out of it tumbled three adolescent boys with an enthusiastic cry of “Save the Beavers!”
The boys surprised Chip with a hug worthy of any Disney character and two of the boys posed with him for a picture. The young men were gone just as fast as they arrived with a gentle reminder from the driver, “boys don’t forget to thank Mr. Beaver”. “Thank you Mr. Beaver” the three cried as they drove from sight.
