KIDS THESE DAYS:

A couple of weeks ago, I started a discussion with my 17-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, about good things happening to good people.

I believe that one’s chances of having good things happen in one’s life are greatly increased by being good; through acts of goodness and by thinking good thoughts. Of course, hard work helps a lot.

But as I told my daughter, acting and thinking good is not insurance against hard times. Bad things often happen to good people.

The reverse is also true: Sometimes good things happen to bad people.

At the risk of being classified as a world-class wet blanket, I started the discussion because I wanted her to know that her recent run of good news about college applications was not something she should expect. Like everything else in life, good things must be earned and she understands the connection between her success and hard work.

Recently, Harvard, USC, UCI and UC Berkeley provided the world with one more example of how good things happen to good people far more often than bad things. But at the center of this example is a moral about hard work, too.

What these schools have in common is recognizing the talent and character of Abby Koff, one of the brightest stars who has ever shone at Estancia High School.

USC, UCI and UC Berkeley have all given Abby full scholarships. Harvard has asked Abby, actually her mother, Susan, to kick in a very small fraction of their tuition. And they don’t seem to mind because that’s where Abby wants to go.

What Abby has done would be remarkable for any student in Newport-Mesa. But to achieve this recognition from these prestigious schools while growing up as the child of a single mother makes it fantastic.

A couple of days ago, I asked Abby what she believed was the key to her success.

“I had a lot of help. I had the principal [Phil D’Agostino] checking up on me asking me if I applied and then asking how my applications are going. I’ve got my tennis coach helping and my science teacher who is asking me every step of the way if I need help with my homework and letting me know she is available.”

Over the past year, Abby has been captain of the varsity tennis, softball and basketball teams.

“I was also a drum major in band,” Abby added.

Of her high school Abby said, “Everyone is approachable and everyone wants to help. I can talk to my basketball coach about anything.”

The last question I asked Abby was what advice she would give to someone who wanted the same level of success.

“Don’t listen to the people who want you to load up your schedule and tell you that you need this or that for college. I would tell them to do what you love. Enjoy it as much as you can for as long as you can and if that doesn’t work out, at least you’ve done what you love.”

Most adults do not understand this concept; that being happy at school or work is one of the most important goals we can accomplish in our lives.

But Abby did more than choose to be happy at school, she worked very hard at it. In the end, Abby made her own breaks by staying focused and availing herself of all of the help around her, whether it was from her mother, her teammates or her teachers.

Yes, Abby worked hard and, yes, Abby had help. But she is also a good person who is having a lot of good things happen to her.

STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer. Send story ideas to [email protected].