One of the most striking messages Congressman Tom Garrett expressed to students at Central High School last Wednesday was their ability to change the course of history, change the course of society and change the course of someone’s day through their actions and passions.

Garrett, as an example, cited the 1951 walkout of Moton High School in Farmville led by Barbara Rose Johns, who was 16 at the time.

Garrett said Johns’ courage in the face of systemic racism led to her case being the only student-initiated case that was included in Brown v. Board of Education, which led to segregation of public schools being ruled as unconstitutional.

Looking at this student’s role in enacting history, Garrett let students know that they are capable of doing the same.

We’ve seen students take action and make a difference right here in the county.

Jonathan Clarke, a 2017 Central graduate, used his senior year to spearhead a 50th anniversary celebration and reunion for the school.

Students in December traveled to Arlington to lay wreaths on the graves of veterans who have died.

Our students volunteer to help kids and the elderly.

These students will make a difference. They can cure cancer, enact societal change and make someone’s day. We at The Dispatch say that they can because they already are doing some of those things. We charge ourselves and our readers to do what we can to support our students and support programs that can help them make a difference in the world.