There is no greater lesson we can teach our kids than the importance of being involved in their communities.
It’s important because we need children to step up to the plate. They need to be prepared for the day when they will be the voters and taxpayers. One day, they will be the teachers and first responders, the school board members and mayors and county commissioners.
But they will take on those roles only if they see their value.
Kids in Vandergrift are getting a lesson in involvement right now.
On Monday, Taegan Caudle, 9, stood up for something she believes. She wanted something to be changed, and she did something many adults don’t: She went to the Vandergrift council meeting to speak her mind.
Taegan told her elected officials why she thinks the borough playgrounds need to be opened. Despite unseasonably warm weather, Vandergrift kids haven’t been able to play in Kennedy or Franklin parks because they still are locked down.
Traditionally, they aren’t available until Memorial Day, although, in 2022, that was changed to April 30. Taegan and others would like to see that moved to April 1.
It’s not unreasonable. The weather has been nice enough for kids to crave a little park time. Playing outdoors isn’t just a school’s-out-for-summer activity. Spring is a great time to visit the park.
Council put off the decision because it wants more information and because council member and parks and recreation committee member John Uskuraitis was not in attendance.
But Taegan was — along with about 20 other people in support of opening the playgrounds. There were letters from other kids who wanted to play but couldn’t speak up.
Delaying a decision makes it likely the April 1 date won’t happen. Maybe it will be the end of April again, or maybe it will go back to Memorial Day. Council has no doubt learned over time that a little foot-dragging makes it easy to “listen” while still following their own timeline.
The more important lesson would have been to teach Taegan and the other kids that stepping up and getting involved makes a difference. Vandergrift missed that chance.
