Laura's Corner

Danny is a guy who has been the choir director of his Milwaukee church for some time.  He lost his wife recently and was encouraged to try out on American Idol.  His story is touching, uplifting and most of all, enlightening.   He is using this newfound “fame” to bring attention to the illness which took the life of his spouse.  Although I have been a bigger fan of Adam, Danny does have a distinctive quality about his voice.  He has hit some high and low notes as well.  If he does win American Idol, I will wish him well.

In all reality, we as an American people have fallen once again into the instant celebrity trap.  Months ago, very few knew of Danny Gokey.  The members of his church were graced with his presence during services, yet Danny admits he knows very little of the music which flows so smoothly from his own mouth each week.

If we take a look at statistics, only one in three which have placed first in American Idol have gone further than one year throughout their careers.  Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Daughtry have made quite the name for themselves.  The others, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Clay Aiken, Jordin Sparks and a few others have made their mark, but some have also been dropped by their labels.  I applaud the fact they stood in line to audition, but what else do we know about them as individuals?

If we are going to grant an entire day within the City of Milwaukee, why not apply it towards the true heroes who walk among us?  I recall an educator within the elementary school my daughters attended.  Her name was Miss Purdy-Wilder and we loved her.  She truly made a difference and never refrained from allowing us to embrace her fully. 

We have the ability as parents to educate our children and give them examples on a daily basis regarding those we feel our youngesters should be emulating.  In lieu of television characters and others who will truly never touch the hearts of our sons and daughters, how about we find role models within our own schools and churches? 

How about we ask those in charge at the Journal Sentinel to create a page dedicated to the heroes who walk among us?  Isn’t it time we show our appreciation to those who work selflessly without acknowledgement?  Submission forms available online will give us the ability to bring to light those who have made a difference in the lives of ourselves and others.  After review to ensure accuracy and validity, rewarding our heroes can be any items from a season bus pass, movie tickets, gasoline cards, Brewer’s tickets, day at the spa, season tickets to the zoo or museums, or an overnight stay at a hotel.  I can guarantee that most of the items will be donated given the nature of the cause. 

Those who serve do so because of the personal rewards they experience within.  Their actions have very little to do regarding the acknowledgement of others.  Let us prove that there are still exceptional human beings among us.  After all, good news is good news.