We ARE Vestaburg!!: Graduation

We ARE Vestaburg!!: Graduation: Graduation High School Graduation is a very special time in a person’s life.  It is a time of celebration, a time of reflection, a time...

Graduation

Graduation

High School Graduation is a very special time in a person’s life.  It is a time of celebration, a time of reflection, a time of accomplishment, a time of sadness and apprehension, and it is a time of family and friends.  However, there are many things that graduating from high school is not such as, a time of entitlement, it is not an ending but a beginning, it should not be a time of reckless decision making, and it absolutely should not be a time of mourning.  Every year we hear stories of young men and women that make bad choices and end up suffering tragedies including life-altering injuries and even death. 

In my educational career, I have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with such tragedies and they were some of the hardest times in my career and life.  As an educator, you get to know your students and they become so much more and when tragedy strikes it is crushing to not only see the pain of the families, but you feel for all of the students that are left dealing with the aftermath.  While we all experience tragedy in our lives and it is part of growing up, it should not be a part of the graduation season.

Thus, I am asking that every student, parent, and community member make a pledge to look out for all of our children and help our young people make good decisions this graduation season.  It is our responsibility as a community to embrace our children and make this a great time of celebration.  It is my sincerest hope that everyone will join me in making this a time of great memories and happiness and not a time of sadness and regrets by helping to protect our children.  Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2017!