A commendation and a criticism

Pamela Stacy
Published: July 18, 2008

First of all, I would like to commend the Potomac News on the wonderful article on DeCarol Davis. We need to recognize the accomplishments of our young citizens more often in the press. More often
than not, all we seem to hear about are the failures of our young people. But I would like to question why it was in the sports section of the paper. 

Yes, DeCarol was an outstanding basketball player at Forest Park High School. My children were also there at the same time, so I am well aware of her accomplishments on the basketball court. But
this article was not about her accomplishments on the basketball court at Forest Park or the Coast Guard Academy. 

It was about her personal accomplishments and what it took to graduate as the valedictorian of the Coast Guard Academy. I do believe that warranted a front page recognition rather than the sports page.
I do believe the headlines of the Sunday paper was about “Sights to see ... so close to home.” Why was that not a style/leisure section article? 

I bet if DeCarol had chosen a different path and had committed a crime it would have warranted the Sunday headlines.

The Potomac News is not a nationally distributed newspaper. It is a local paper. Leading with an article about a local citizen who has chosen to work hard and excel while enduring roadblocks along the
way, might help to inspire someone else to try to do the same.  Not everyone is interested in sports. Some may only see the headlines or front page of a newspaper. If they did that this past Sunday,
then they failed to read about an outstanding young woman. 

That is sad.

In these days where it seems that all we hear about is failures — banks, government policies, people, etc, — it is encouraging to hear about a success. Congratulations to you DeCarol. Keep up the good
work. Whether you are on the front page or sports page, we are proud of you in Dale City!

PAMELA STACY

Woodbridge