Congratulations Class of 2016

Published 8:00 am Saturday, May 7, 2016

In the coming weeks, hundreds of local graduates will walk across stages in front of family and friends and begin a new chapter in their lives.

As they embark out onto on this new and unrecognizable terrain they’ll no doubt be filled a wide range of emotions — the excitement of transitioning into adulthood, apprehension about the future and, perhaps even a bit of self-doubt about what the future holds for them.

These graduates have had varying courses to get to this point in their lives. For some, graduating high school or even college is almost a given; for others, the journey thus far has been met with its share of challenges. Some may be the first in their families to complete this phase of the task. They all, however, have made it this far with the help of those who have walked the journey with them and invested their time by helping to lay the right foundation and instill good qualities in them — the parents, teachers and mentors that have helped guide them, direct their paths and have been there to set them back on course when necessary in order for them to reach this point.

For too many still, the outlook remains not so promising, which makes the accomplishments of this year’s graduating class all the more worthy of commending. While there were many others who began this journey with this year’s graduates, this year’s candidates for graduation were able to complete a step that in many respects will help to determine their future outcome as adults.

No matter the course, what is true for all of them is the fact that the true journey is just beginning, and that the choices they make now are setting the course for their futures. Numerous challenges will arise, challenges that will require continued focus and hard work to overcome, but the return on this level of dedication will reap milestones and dividends that hopefully will make it all worthwhile.

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 on achieving this milestone.

May your hard work and dedication in the coming years one day reap rewards that reach far beyond your own expectations in life — the journey is just beginning.