In times of great apathy, it's encouraging to see people - especially young people - who are willing to take a stand.
That's why we would consider a pat on the back to student protesters at Madison High School, who walked out of school to protest a lack of books, teachers and respect for students.
But as this story is playing out, both the students and the school administration could have handled the situation better and turned it into a win-win.
On the students' side, a meeting before school or after school with the superintendent, or attendance at a school board meeting, might have been a good first step to get their point across. Presenting a petition signed by those of like mind also would have added weight to their argument.
On the administration's side, actively listening to the complaints and acknowledging that having students who care about their education and their educational environment would have gone a long way toward healing the situation.
Instead, these students who did walk out of school have been punished, a move that will not serve its intended purpose of intimidating this group or silencing its speech. It does, in a way, confirm the students' assertion that they are not respected.
The teaching moment that could have transpired is this: We have a First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and speak.
But even with that right comes responsibility, and thinking in advance about the consequences of protest. Walking out of school can be construed as the equivalent of skipping class, and we have to assume that's why the protesters were punished since the school has refused to speak to the question of discipline.
The students were able to shine the spotlight on the problems.
But the system still failed them.
Educators had a group of students who were engaged and interested in their education. They missed a golden opportunity to teach these students positive and effective ways to get their point across.
The editorials in this column represent the opinions of The News-Star's editorial board, composed of President and Publisher David B. Petty, Executive Editor Kathy Spurlock and community representatives Lyle Miller, Tom Nicholson and Kelly Shambro.