The Mayor’s Inspirational Achiever’s Award Banquet’s Award Banquet proved that despite what most think, Selma’s youths do produce greatness.

Since I arrived in Selma in Sept. 2013, I have heard many people in the community speak about the young people in the area being the source of many of city’s problems, especially when it comes to crime.While I have noticed that some of Selma’s problems can be attributed to young Selmains, several of this city’s best ideas, successful community charity events and over all improvement can also be attributed to the community’s growing future leaders.

As I watched several students from within the Selma City limits accept medals, certificates, plaques, iPads and laptops, I smiled so hard you would have thought I was a proud mother of all of those students.

During the ceremony, the announcer shared some of the dreams and accomplishments of the honorees. Among the most impressive aspirations I heard throughout the night were students having plans to demolish abandoned builds, become mayor and eradicate cancer.

I am amazed by our youth’s great concepts and goals.

I hope that our town continues to hold momentous events that will encourage and recognize students who are striving to better themselves. I’m appreciative to the Selma businesses and residents that did just that by donating money that funded the awards given that night.

For example, Tim Keesee, the vice president of North American Operations for Honda Locke said the company, which sponsored the senior scholarships at the Mayor’s Inspirational Achiever’s Award Banquet’s Award Banquet, gave $1,500 to each senior to go toward a college scholarship.

One of the many highlights of the night was Dallas County District Judge Bob Armstrong’s speech about the importance of everyone in Selma remembering to stay positive, even when life throws obstacles at you that make you feel as if your dreams are not possible.

I think that’s something we should all live by, since a positive attitude can make a huge difference in results.

The new positive attitude that Armstrong suggested Selma adopt should began with our youth.

We cannot be so consumed with our problems that we don’t take time to recognize our blessings. If we continue to do that, then people who are going in the right direction might start going the wrong things just to seek attention.

Events like the Mayor’s Inspirational Achiever’s Award Banquet’s Award Banquet helps us avoid that. Anyone searching for a way to eliminate the negative actions of our youth should invest their money into the banquet, so more students will have the means to make their dreams to succeed a reality.