I love this time of year. High school seniors are eagerly awaiting the outward sign of the progression of time (thirteen years, in most cases) that acknowledges the achievement of a major milestone; i.e. their high school diploma.
The last semester, for most high school seniors, is one mile-marker after another. Ordering caps and gowns and all the accompanying graduation 'schtuff' that parents' pocketbooks can afford; the spring prom, honors nights, last concerts, sports dinners, senior trips, bus trips into cities to attend Broadway shows, Baccalaureate.....if their schools allow the ceremony, the actual graduation ceremony, graduation open houses, getting in touch with future college roommates, buying all the gear necessary to adequately 'equip' the typical college dorm room, saying goodbye to friends and classmates as everyone goes their separate ways into the next phase of their lives, saying the final goodbye to family as the graduate becomes a college or university student. The list is long and the list differs for each graduate.
Some graduates will choose to enter the military and serve their country, others will remain at home and attend the excellent and underrated junior college system, others will enter the work force immediately upon graduation, a few will marry, and others will travel. Life-changing and life-altering decisions will be made - some with a great deal of forethought and other decisions will be made under duress.
The common thread binding all graduates together is that their 'whiteboard', if you will, gets to be wiped clean and, for that one moment in time, all graduates get to chose what will be written for them and about them. The opportunity is fleeting, so the choice of text, font, color, and word selection is vitally important.
To all the graduates that may read this, know that you have a once-in-a-lifetime chance right now, right this very minute. Take time making your choices, trust your instincts, chose your friends carefully, keep your 'frenemies' at arm's length, try to remember that your parents may have helpful input and insights, and please, don't text while driving. There is a natural order in this world that purports that young people should live to ripe, old ages, and that older people should die first.
Stick to the plan.
Ancora imparo
