“1) Brain drain is viewed in a linear way (“Keep our kids here” statements). Don't we want “our kids” to gain some worldly experience? Do we really want to perpetuate the next generation of cultural sclerosis and parochialism? Doesn't a vibrant region/state/community require the influx of new ideas and people? Should we also be focusing on developing a means for harnessing their new knowledge, ideas and networks?”

When you hear the horror stories I hear coming out of the next wave of young adults (16-24) locally, it makes you wonder if perhaps the real reason people do not return to Roanoke is the overwhelming negative view of being educated and ambitious.

“1) Brain drain is viewed in a linear way (“Keep our kids here” statements). Don't we want “our kids” to gain some worldly experience? Do we really want to perpetuate the next generation of cultural sclerosis and parochialism? Doesn't a vibrant region/state/community require the influx of new ideas and people? Should we also be focusing on developing a means for harnessing their new knowledge, ideas and networks?”

When you hear the horror stories I hear coming out of the next wave of young adults (16-24) locally, it makes you wonder if perhaps the real reason people do not return to Roanoke is the overwhelming negative view of being educated and ambitious.

“1) Brain drain is viewed in a linear way (“Keep our kids here” statements). Don’t we want “our kids” to gain some worldly experience? Do we really want to perpetuate the next generation of cultural sclerosis and parochialism? Doesn’t a vibrant region/state/community require the influx of new ideas and people? Should we also be focusing on developing a means for harnessing their new knowledge, ideas and networks?”

When you hear the horror stories I hear coming out of the next wave of young adults (16-24) locally, it makes you wonder if perhaps the real reason people do not return to Roanoke is the overwhelming negative view of being educated and ambitious.