High school graduation season is underway, with Sanford High School grads tossing their caps tonight in the first of many ceremonies that will continue through next weekend. It is a time for graduates to reflect on the years of their childhoods and look forward to the next phase of their lives ”“ and a time for parents to do the same.
Student and adult speakers alike will share a number of cliché words of encouragement in graduation ceremonies throughout the county in these two weeks: “Hold onto your dreams.” “Don’t forget where you came from.” “Strive for your goals.” “Be thankful for the support of friends and family.”
The advice and reminders dished out at these ceremonies are part of a time-honored tradition of sending the next generation out into the adult world. As each of us gain more experience in our lives as the years go by, we all seek to impart some of that wisdom and those life lessons to those younger than ourselves in the hopes that they can avoid making the same mistakes or make more informed decisions.
Time and time again, however, we find that we generally only learn from our own mistakes, no matter how much advice we get from whatever source. Smokers don’t stop smoking until a brush with cancer, despite the warning labels; renters don’t buy insurance despite reading about others’ total loss when an apartment building goes up in flames; motorists continue to drink and drive until they’re the ones who get an OUI or cause an accident.
Such is the way of youth, the way of life, and though we urge these new graduates to heed all the sage advice they get these next two weekends, we realize that one of the best things about life is learning things for yourself.
Just after high school, when most young people have established a general idea of who they are and who they want to become, is one of the most exciting times of life. Whether students go on to college, the military or directly into the world of work, now is the time when they will experience the thrill of being on their own for the first time and determining how they want to use that independence to establish their own identities.
At each graduation, the energy is almost tangible among the seniors, who are chomping at the bit to get out into the world and start their own lives, to get on with pursuing their dreams. It’s an excitement that should inspire us all to think back on that time, to remember the rush of hope again that comes with making a new start. It’s a time for all of us to take stock of our lives and see whether we’ve accomplished all those goals we set at graduation, or if we’re happy with how we realigned our priorities.
The advice dished out at graduation ceremonies is soon forgotten, but the spirit of the message is not. That message is this, and we’d like to take this opportunity to convey it to all our local graduates: Your community is proud of you and wants you to succeed ”“ and with enough determination, nothing can stop you from reaching your goals, whatever they may be. Congratulations.
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Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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