It has been difficult to find the good news lately. Divisive issues and tragic events have, at times, consumed local and national news coverage. 

But there is good news out there.

On Monday it was announced that Barrington High School has been selected as this year's RIIAAA (Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association) School of the Year. It is a great accomplishment and a well-deserved honor. Just take a look at some of the school's recent successes:

• Last year, BHS boasted eight varsity state championship teams (Fall 2016 — boys soccer, field hockey, girls volleyball, unified volleyball; Winter 2016-17 — girls swimming, boys ice hockey; Spring 2017 — unified basketball, and softball).

• Barrington High School also had a number of state runners-up (Winter 2017 — girls basketball, boys swimming; Spring 2017 — boys tennis; Fall 2017 — girls tennis).

• Eagles teams also won three class championships and 11 division championships (boys and girls cross country, field hockey, golf, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls outdoor track and field, girls basketball, boys ice hockey).

• And within the past year, Barrington High School has had 28 boys and girls earn First Team All-State Awards, and dozens more have been honored as All-Division and All-Class selections. 

These achievements are even more impressive when considering that Barrington High School is a public high school. Unlike the private high schools in this state, Barrington does not recruit talented student-athletes or offer special scholarships to those who can jump higher, run faster and hit harder. The student-athletes who make up Barrington High School sports teams are the same boys and girls who grew up in town and played youth sports in town.

In addition, Barrington High School student-athletes match (or even exceed) their athletic achievement with their academic accomplishments.

It is great that the RIIAAA has recognized Barrington High School for this well-deserved award. 

The more good news these days, the better.

Note: Barrington High School will be presented the 2018 RIIAAA School of the Year Award during the RIIAAA state awards banquet on Monday, April 2, at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick.