All around, kids are doing great things

It's a moving sight to see a group of young people stand and proudly sing I Believe I Can Fly.

TRIO, three individual Hillsborough Community College programs designed to put disadvantaged high school and community college students on a path to attending four-year universities, held its commencement ceremony last week.

The kids thanked the teachers for all the skills they learned and experiences they enjoyed over the years. But after hearing them sing, it was clear the greatest gift they got from the staff was hope. ...

Singing is one thing, but dancing at a graduation celebration? USF accounting students choreographed a flash-mob type routine at their recent ceremony.

I'm happy to report they're as good with their feet as they are with their fingers. Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPZQH1A7Jxk. ...

The Hillsborough Education Foundation awarded more than 300 scholarships totaling more than $800,000 this year. The foundation recognized these outstanding students Saturday at a breakfast sponsored by Citi. I wonder if they realize how great adolescence can be if you make good decisions.

Seen on a bumper sticker: Teach Kids How To Think, Not What To Think. ...

Alex Rodriguez hit a homer. Not the Yankees third baseman but the Valrico Elementary third grader.

Alex authored Cookie, a stirring tale about an 800-pound guinea pig, and I deemed it the best among those written by Lori Faria and Kris Vician's students. But I loved them all. ...

So why all the kid news? It's that time of year when we honor them not only for achievements, but for reminding us the future is in good hands. As my sons always say, we got this.

That's all I'm saying.