The story of the day
There's little doubt to what the story of the day was here today in York County. Over the weekend, more than 20 teens -- most from York Catholic High School -- were cited for underage drinking at a party in East Hopewell Township.
Those cited, police said, included some notable York Catholic student-athletes -- Kelly Rhein, Jacob Iati, Angelina Ortenzio, Nick Falci and Steph Carr among them.
Whatever you might think of the news value and repercussions of this story, you can't deny that it has people talking. As of 7:40 p.m., there were already 144 reader comments tacked on to the story. Those comments themselves became part of the story and part of the community discussion. It would take you quite a while to read through all of them.
Here are 10 comments (lightly edited) that I thought were particularly illuminating or thought-provoking (though I don't necessarily agree with all of them):
1975 graduate: Why haven't we learned how to communicate more effectively with teens? And why is there a double standard for school officials and other adults in the forefront? And finally why can we not use this as a way to communicate with kids, instead of being judgmental? ... Kids need the support of family, school and community ... And YES, sometimes that means picking yourself and making it better. Believe me kids, everyone has been there.
take responsibility: Better to have children cited today, than others dead next week because they drove drunk. It could happen to any parent in this county at any time, and we all need to be vigilant. This is a courtesy reminder to all of us who are raising children, not a hand slap to those who get caught.
richard: I can't believe the people on here that justify what these people did "because everyone does it." I'm sure this wasn't random enforcement and someone must have reported it to the police. Thank goodness it was, before they tried driving home!
mel: I am a former teacher who has taught 100s of kids just like Jacob and Kelly. Fundamentally good kids who get wrapped up in the festivities of a prom evening and do something stupid. I am all for making them pay the consequences for their poor judgment. I just find it appalling that because they have had outstanding careers in sports that it somehow makes them MORE guilty than everyone else, and more deserving of humilation. ... But anyone who has ever worked with seniors knows darn well that they are just kids who are learning to become adults. And they make mistakes...even the ones who play basketball.
chris: At one time in this country the drinking age was 18 years old. Come on, kids will be kids. Do people actually think that charging these kids with underage drinking will benefit them?
Bigger Picture: In response to anyone that feels these two sports stars shouldn't be singled out, look at the bigger picture. The truth is Jacob and Kelly are different than the other kids that were charged. Yeah, same crime, but these two great individuals and athletes were able to accomplish what many other high school athletes only dream of accomplishing --- full scholarships to Division I schools. They had it made and threw it all away. It's a shame because there are kids out there that never go to college because they can't afford it and these two individuals have a free ride and it means nothing to them.
Lisa: How many kids DID drive home from this party, leaving just before the police arrived? Too many, would be my guess.
YC graduate: Maybe they should take this for what it is ... a warning. Getting caught for underage drinking isn't the end of the world. They should learn from this mistake, especially before heading off to college where underage drinking is the norm. And no, I'm not some old person on here trying to preach. I'm 22 years old and a college student. I just think it is crazy how much attention and responses this article is getting. The reason it's becoming such a big deal is because of ALL OF YOU. If you stop talking about it, it will all go away.
GoIrish: I am heartsick ... at the vicious comments about a truly wonderful school, at the anti-Catholic sentiment expressed in some comments, at the callous and partially accurate reporting by this paper, and at having a child who attended the party, who is now in big trouble, both here at home and in the legal system. This is just a news event that caught the attention of many of you, but our families will be dealing with the consequences long after you have been distracted by the next salacious headline. I thank God that no one was hurt, I pray for wisdom for everyone involved, and I ask the rest to reserve judgment until they know the actual story.
YC Parent: This is a perfect opportunity for the rest of us to show our kids what will happen to them nowadays if they go out and drink underage. It was right on the front page. We can show them that even the "highest-ranked" among them take the fall for stupid mistakes. ... This is the type of thing that can make kids think their lives are over! Remember teen suicides of the past that coincided with such arrests? These kids need the support of their family and friends to get past this mistake and move on. Instead of gloating, say some prayers for them!
