Thank you to Carlisle High School

To the Editor:

It seems we are increasingly living in a country where news stories frequently result in half the people cheering and the other half becoming angry. Dividing into us-versus-them has become too easy these days. We can do better. I recently witnessed us doing better. On the afternoon of April 14 of this year, the Carlisle Track and Field team modeled humanity’s best side.

Addy Ross, a rising star for the Mifflin County track team, died as a result of a car accident on Feb. 4 of this year. Her life was remembered and honored by her team on April 14, at the conclusion of the Mifflin County/Carlisle track and field meet. There were a few speeches, followed by a slow, silent walk around the 400-meter track.

The team from Carlisle could have politely returned to their bus and left for the hour-plus ride home. And nobody would have faulted them for doing so. But instead, Carlisle chose to stay for it all, joining Mifflin County in our journey of love and loss. This is a journey common to all people, but made more bearable when shared. Carlisle stayed there with us.

As a grandparent of two of the Mifflin County athletes, I was deeply moved by the compassion and kindness shown to us by our “competitors.” And I wanted to thank Carlisle coaches, athletes and fans for your show of support to a hurting community. You reminded us all that seeing the humanity of others is more important than competition or anything else that has a way of dividing us.

Thank You and God Bless You!

Alan Kauffman