There are some important points of instruction for members of the East Side Mustangs youth football team amid the upcoming court case involving the team's allegedly stolen fund-raising and banquet money.

One is, even an isolated incident of bad judgment by one person can hurt - or cause anxiety, anger, heartache and frustration for - many people. Another is that a person can get into big trouble and destroy his or her reputation, even if an alleged wrongdoing does not cause bodily injury to another person.

And, it must be emphasized to them that destruction of reputation is oftentimes irreversible for the balance of a person's life.

Team members should think back to their current feelings regarding their banquet money - and what they felt when they were told that the event might not be held - as they weigh decisions or temptations about right and wrong in the future, as children and as adults. As troubling as the incident in question, it could have a plus side if it serves to keep the team's players on a straight, lawful path in their future lives.

No one knows how the felony-theft case involving 37-year-old Michele Renee Taylor of 308 Zeigler Ave. will turn out. Taylor was in a position of trust in handling money connected with a fund-raising project that was to make possible the football team's annual banquet. However, instead of exercising proper, legal stewardship over the money, Taylor allegedly withdrew money from the team's account, transferring the funds to personal bank accounts belonging to her and her daughter.

For awhile, it seemed as if the banquet, which had been scheduled for December, would have to be canceled. That rightly upset team members and their parents.

However, thanks to individuals and companies that came forward with donations after hearing about the team's plight, the banquet was able to be held last Friday, bringing a satisfying conclusion to team members' weeks of uncertainty.

While satisfying from the standpoint that the banquet eventually was held, the situation still is far from satisfying for parents and others who bought candles as a positive gesture toward the players' hard work and team spirit. Their money has been in limbo.

Understandably, the improper use of the money has been a blow to their trusting spirit, but perhaps a good thing is that the incident will cause them to be more careful - not only in regard to groups and organizations with which they have contact, but also in their personal dealings.

All criminal wrongdoing considered, the crime with which Taylor is charged can't be classified as heinous. Nevertheless, it was a serious breach of confidence for which proper punishment should be meted out, if guilty is the verdict or plea.

What was going on in Taylor's life that prompted her to become part of such an unseemly situation might not ever be fully known or made public as part of the legal process. However, she obviously didn't ponder all of the potential negative consequences that could befall her before pursuing her ultimate course.

The situation was sad because of the unhappiness it triggered for the football team, but it also was unhappy on the basis of the ongoing impact such a charge inevitably wields on a person's future opportunities.

There are alternatives to money problems that don't include stealing or misappropriating others' funds. That will be emphasized to Taylor as she, in the months ahead, deals with the criminal justice system and all it could entail for her.