There are some amazing young people in this community who have the compassion and zeal to improve the places where they live and make the lives of others better.

This week alone we bring you a few of those stories.

Tasha Kuiack is selflessly giving her father one of her kidneys. While there is a risk of complication associated with any operation, she is determined to move forward to give “the best dad in the world,” as she put it, a better life.

Amazed at how insignificant human life seems to have become in Burma, a group of Huntsville High School students have begun signing petitions and protesting the slaughter of hundreds of Burmese monks and other citizens.

Young minds at the Montessori school will be getting insight into what it means to be a global citizen, an experience that will hopefully stay with them for the rest of their lives, as they head to a United Nations peace conference.

Young people are often dismissed as not having a care in the world, but the reality could not be further from the truth. They have to grow up in an increasingly complex world and somehow balance their idealism with the responsibilities associated with being an adult. Many are not immune to tragedy as they watch their parents struggle with health issues or financial difficulties. Some leave home and realize affordable places to live are scarce, the cost of education can become prohibitive, and the work place can be exploitative.

So, on the eve of a provincial election we ask all voters between the ages of 18 and 24 to practise their democratic franchise.

There are approximately 1.2 million voters of that age cohort in Ontario and their vote is extremely important. Their passion and convictions, as demonstrated by some of the stories this week, make their voice an important one. Let’s hope they use it.

T.d.V.