Why do I do what I do

Since I first came into the public eye as a writer of letters to the editor and an attendee of school board meetings, I have been criticized and questioned. By elder school-tax-paying community members, who have called me young, foolish, a “snot-nosed teenager” in comments on the Courier website. By the high school administrators, who always thought I was up to something "sneaky." By my peers, many of whom couldn't be happier to put Delaware Valley and this community behind them.

One sad anonymous commenter recently advised I "Go back to college and get a life!," which got me thinking: why do I do this? Why have I attended every possible school board meeting for the past two years? Why do I keep up with the Pike County Courier and PoconoNews.net while three hours away in Syracuse? Why do I continue writing letters to the Dispatch? And why, why did I start this blog?

I do it for every member of this community–every student, taxpayer, teacher and parent; the Karl Flails and the Tony Splendoras; even for myself.

I grew up in Dingman Township, moving to Pike County just a few weeks old. I attended the DV School District for 13 years, starting at Shohola Elementary School. I have always been heavily involved in my community and school. I regularly volunteer in the community, particularly with the Pike County Public Library, where I started attending programs as a toddler. In fifth grade I first became involved with the school's media clubs, and was the editor of the newspaper a total of four years in middle and high school. Odyssey of the Mind, orchestra and student council were a few organizations to which I committed much of my time as a DV student. My point is, I was–and still am–heavily invested in my community and school district.

All of those experiences, along with the influence of my PTA-president, award-wining youth-educating super-mom, have put "doing good" at the top of my life’s priorities, and I believe I can work with others in this community to do good by continuing to stay involved.

After nearly 19 years, I have a wealth of knowledge about and experience with our community and DV–its staff, its students, its school board. The best way to be successful at doing good things is to keep it local and to keep it within your expertise. That’s why I’m here, channeling my knowledge and experience with the energy, motivation and desire I have to do good.

I have a passion for problem solving and a passion for communications. So much so that I am majoring in communications/journalism and public policy studies at Syracuse University, which offers the top programs in the country for both. I credit to Delaware Valley my opportunity to study at the Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and I am indebted to the community and school that raised me.

As a communications and policy studies major, I learn best by doing. By writing op-eds, researching real school policies, attending school board and committee meetings, and now heading up my own online publication, I benefit by gaining valuable real-world experience.

So why do I do it all? Consider the Athenian Oath, which centuries later is written on the wall in the lobby of the Maxwell School in Syracuse.

We will ever strive for the ideals and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many;
We will unceasingly seek to quicken the sense of public duty;
We will revere and obey the city's laws;
We will transmit the City, not only not as less,
but greater, better, and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.

So welcome to this blog. Please comment and share your opinions. While I won't compulsively delete anonymous comments, I encourage you to put your name behind your words. I also welcome anyone who would like to be a regular contributing poster. Please e-mail me at ryanbalton@gmail.com if you are interested or if you have any questions.