Dear Editor: Many thanks for the March 19th Youth Views column. Having taught our Catholic youth for almost 50 years, I always want to read what today’s young people have to say. This week they were asked “what virtue or value we should strive for as a country.”

Each of the four students interviewed offered a version of justice and peace, but one young freshman’s response was especially insightful. He said, “In everyday life, just one person can help to achieve American virtues, like justice and freedom, by being respectful of other religions, those with different ideas and anyone who might be different from us.”

This youngster has already learned some very important lessons. In these troubled times he offers us a reason for hope. May we not forget the Scripture: “And a child shall lead.”

JOHN J. MCCORMICK

Windsor Terrace