Graduating seniors deserve recognition
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2005, whose members will walk across the stage in grand fashion tonight.
Seniors, you have reached one of your first major milestones. From this point forward, you must begin the process of shaping your futures and determining what to make of your life after high school.
Some of you will head off to college. Others will stay at home and work. Others will face the courageous task of entering the military and possibly fighting for this country on the battlefields of Iraq.
Regardless of your goals, and what you consider your ultimate destination, you deserve to take pride in your accomplishments and enjoy your success.
Tonight you will be declared a high school graduate. Take pride in this achievement. You’ve earned it through years of math problems and reading assignments, by passing pop quizzes, spelling tests and in-depth exams.
When you walk across the stage at Nunley Stadium, or the stage at Van Buren County High School gym, those seats will be full of family members and well-wishers, people proud of you and happy to celebrate this moment.
Tomorrow will be here soon enough, along with the trials and tribulations which accompany adulthood. The future, and many responsibilities, lie ahead. There will be children to raise, house payments to make, food to put on the table.
Savor this moment and remember what it feels like to be on top. May this feeling of accomplishment stay with you and may it drive you toward continued success.
Thus far, much of your life has been guided by your parents who have nurtured you, often held your hand through difficult decisions, and provided life’s essentials such as food and shelter. Many of you will always be able to count on your parents and family for support.
At the same time, part of the passage into adulthood revolves around handing over the reins of your life to you. Sometimes you will fail. That’s a fact of life no matter how old you are. But just as often, you will succeed – and it’s that fulfillment which will catapult you to continue working toward your goals.
Here at the Standard, our employees are caught up in the joy of graduation just like the rest of the community.
Standard reporter Margaret Hobbs will watch as her youngest daughter, Emily, receives her high school diploma. Standard receptionist Lauren Zechman has gone back to school and received a bachelor of arts degree from Trevecca last weekend.
The Standard is proud to honor the fine graduates of the class of 2005. It is also appropriate to pay tribute to the parents who have worked so diligently to make tonight’s Project Graduation at the Civic Center a reality. This worthwhile event gives seniors and their dates a safe place to celebrate tonight and well into tomorrow morning.
Class of 2005, we wish you the very best.