My experience is that many community newspapers like this one cover these competitions, especially when local youngsters do well. But how much attention to other parts of the community give them?

In virtually every Minnesota community, gas stations, food franchises and convenience stores post fall, winter and spring sports schedules. Often these are paid for, in part, by business, community and service groups. It's a strong, welcome statement of support. How about something similar for academic and artistic competitions? I'm talking about everything from Chess League and Math Masters to Destination Imagination to Speech, Debate, Drama and Choral Music. And those are just a few of the dozens of opportunities that young people have to develop and display their talent. A full list is available from the Minnesota Center for Academic Excellence. www.mncae.org.

A LOT of young people participate. For example

• Knowledge Bowl, 3800
• Math Masters - more than 4000
  
• Destination Imagination - about 5000
  
• Stock Market Game - more than 13,000
  
• National History Day - more than 16,000
  
• State Drama, Music and Debate competitions - more than 20,000

When a basketball, football or hockey team is doing well, many local stores and businesses post congratulations signs. How about something similar when a local team does well in a math, science or history day competition?

This is NOT an attempt to criticize sports. I played on high school and college teams, and spent more than 15 years coaching various youth teams in basketball, softball and baseball. I love youth sports, especially when adult egos don't run wild.

Don't young people who excel, or make a lot progress in other ways, also deserve our attention, respect and praise? I think so, and I hope in the coming year they get a lot of it.