Tony Romeo off to Cancun with Jessica!

Marine Murder Suspect Found!

Or, how about this: College Students Build Basketball Court for Indigenous Community!

I was supposed to have been in Chiapas, Mexico, last week with a few co-workers to serve alongside a group of Elon University students in a remote region governed by the Zapatista rebels. For several reasons, we were unable to make the trip, but the students -- all part of the unique "Periclean Scholars" program at Elon -- are there now for a 30-day winter-term experience. The Periclean Scholars program is highly selective, grounded in service and raises the students' awareness of the global human condition though intense, personal exposure to diificult, often dangerous circumstances. In most cases, these children of privilege are serving some of the poorest people in the world. Last winter, for example, they were in Namibia working on AIDs relief with Anita Issacs, an amazing woman.This year, Chiapas.

Their faculty advisor on the trip is Dr. Bird Stasz, an education professor at Elon, a true citizen of the world and my own daughter's mentor and inspiration in her time at the school. She writes me about the group's experiences when she get's back to civilization (about once a week) and I was moved by her note today. Here it is:

"Greetings to all,

We are back from our last stint in the field and busy taking showers and relaxing. Our time in the village was both rewarding and heartbreaking. We had the opportunity to be present for the inaugruation of a basketball court which was in fact an opportunity to witness the immense energy and hard work of the whole community. The basketball court was in fact the new community center and provided a place for everyone to come and participate in activities. We picked coffee and were amazed as the family who took us into the fields wore no shoes and the mom carried her baby on her back. It was a lesson in gratitude for what we have and I don´t think any of us will ever think lightly of a cup of coffee again. The family makes 200 dollars a year and that is their entire disposable income. The students had a chance to participate in the whole process and there is some authentic coffee at the bottom of everyone´s suitcase. Susan and I were called in to try and help a young mom with a very sick baby. Our pathetic first aid for infants was an electric tea pot and a jar of vicks. Some how there was a belief that that might make a difference. Sadly the baby had to be taken to the city hospital... an expensive and last ditch effort by the community. Again and again we were humbled by the food we were given, the warmth we felt given to us so generously by those that have nothing to us who have much. We all look forward to coming home.. dr Bird."

Bird Stasz is a treasure and her students are growing into selfless, moral, engaged citizens. I'm proud to be associated with these folks and I'm thrilled that -- surprise, surprise -- there are many like-minded kids in college these days. The times, they are a-changing. Can you feel it?