How does that Whitney Houston song go? “I believe the children are the future.” A glance at the news of recent days might lead one to hope that’s truly the case. The past few days have seen some accomplishments from local children and youths, and some not very commendable behavior from others.

Last week, a ghost bike memorial honoring the life of a young cyclist who was struck and killed by a car around Christmas 2018 was stolen.

Sunday’s paper included a story about an arrest involving a racist graffiti message being painted on a home on East Brady Street. On Monday, the Eagle reported on two men who followed a woman home and allegedly stole her purse.

Tuesday’s selection involves police investigating an incident in which someone shot and killed a pet cat.

Meanwhile, county youths were doing some things of which to be proud these past few days.

Last Wednesday, the Eagle ran a story about a young Penn Township boy and his mother who created a minilibrary on their lawn that provides free books to their neighbors.

Butler County Community College announced that several former students created new scholarships that will be awarded during the upcoming school year. Some of the students who created the scholarships said they themselves once received scholarships, and wanted to pay it forward by helping other students who might struggle financially.

On Friday, North Catholic High School seniors did what so many others their age have been forced to do this summer — made due with a lousy situation and held their graduation in the school’s parking lot. While the setup was less than ideal, these students’ accomplishments were recognized, and most seemed to take it in stride, saying they were glad to be able to graduate with their friends.

And on Monday, several former Penn Christian Academy students returned to the school for a volunteer day during which they helped to clean up around the school. That aforementioned song’s second lyric regarding youths is to “let them lead the way.”

While some were out stealing a dead man’s memorial, painting hateful messages on a house, mugging people or killing someone’s cat, some of our county’s youths were leading the way these past few days.

Follow their example.