Be grateful for the good in Santa Fe

As our quasi-winter comes to an end and we hear so much depressing news about the drought, the Santa Fe Public Schools wanting to take Turquoise Trail Charter Elementary School (“SFPS plans to offer Turquoise Trail alternative site,” Jan. 25), the innumerable bad examples of ethics on vacation, and the citizenship and responsibility shown by some of our leaders, I just wanted to remember some of the good people and things in our community.

Chari Kauffman

Chari obviously puts her heart into the district science expo. She has a good, organized approach, and probably could do even more if she had more help. Her volunteers are invaluable, but there is a lot to do. She keeps a smile on her face, doesn’t get discouraged, and she’s made the expo better and better every year.

The Santa Fe Alliance for Science

Those wonderful scientist judges are amazing. They talk to the kids — all ages — as if they are peers. Every student is treated with respect, and the conversations are encouraging. I don’t know if they are trained that well or if the group just knows how to select great people.

House Speaker Brian Egolf

Brian started a program for schools called “Speaker’s Table.” In Speaker’s Table, students study one of the Legislature’s memorials, research the topic, form an opinion and write a letter to express their informed, reasonable position. Then they go to a committee hearing that is evaluating the bill or memorial and speak about the topic under consideration. The students meet an assigned mentor who helps them prepare their presentation before the committee meeting, and they offer encouragement and guidance. The experience for these great students is invaluable in that kids, they can have see how a voice. the government works and how everyone, even So with all the negativity in the news — corruption, killing, abuse, greed and war, it’s just good to recognize the good things and good people that enrich our lives and give hope for the future.