Opinion

The sirens started wailing as the sky turned a color only Missouri knows how to make – that eerie, unreal green that seems to come from inside the clouds. There was a confirmed tornado near Independence; warnings stretched across Clay and Ray counties.

The train never seeks permission to disrupt your day. One moment, you’re engrossed in your routine, and the next, the barriers drop, bells clang, and that unmistakable low whistle slices through the air, as if it has always been there. You find yourself halted, standing still as the familiar sounds of metal and motion envelop you.

Many aspects of my job bring me joy. I love writing about important milestones in our community, capturing the essence of local history, and experiencing the vibrant energy of crowded gymnasiums as well as the happiness of family events. However, one aspect I have come to love the most is one that took me by surprise: the chance to sit behind a microphone.

Dear Editor, I am a history teacher at Rolla High School in Rolla, Mis. We take an annual history trip with our top students each year. This year, we traveled to St. Joseph and then down to Richmond and Lexington to visit the historical sites in those locations.

Now that the local election has concluded, the yard signs are beginning to vanish and the lively discussions about candidates and issues have settled down. For some, the results brought celebration; for others, disappointment. However, regardless of winning or losing, there’s something significant to acknowledge: voters showed up. They participated. We cared enough to vote. And that is something we should all take pride in.

In today’s society, where challenges and negativity often overshadow our daily lives, it becomes increasingly important to focus on the moments of joy and the instances that restore our faith in humanity.