Give Thanks?

This Thanksgiving I went home to Buffalo to spend time with family and friends. Over the five days I was there, I was brought up to date on many of the goings on at my former high school and the schools my brothers attend. I was shocked to find out that there had been a recent scandal at one of the local all-girls high schools involving a student-teacher affair. Just in time for the holidays, you know?

I was also astonished to hear that my brother's all-boys high school had pledged upwards of fourteen million dollars for a new wing in the school, which already resembles a castle.

Based on these findings, I was dismayed. Here I am, a proud woman and proud of my own all-girls high school as well as the others in my town, but all we hear about is a scandal involving sex. Meanwhile, the all-boys high schools are receiving multi-million dollar donations to improve their already top-notch facilities. I was unimpressed and severely bitter.

It seems that no matter what an all-girls high school does, they will only be remembered for the one sex scandal that occurred.

I thought back to my graduating class and all our accomplishments, including coming together to fundraise the money to build a sister school in Afghanistan. We accomplished community service projects at home and abroad, led and participated in retreats, accepted many honors, had a 100% graduation rate and went on to attend top schools across the country. However, when it came down to graduation, we were presented more as "ladies" than as accomplished and worthy academics.

I guess I'm not shocked, just upset and disappointed. We have a lot to give, girls, so despite the uphill battle, we need to show it.

P.S. I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful!