OTTUMWA —
So begins the annual parade of high school graduates collecting a diploma and moving toward their future.
Tonight’s commencement ceremony at Albia High School is the first of 19 graduation events in the Courier’s coverage area.
That’s followed by 18 more commencements now through June 10 as young people move toward the next phase of their lives.
Graduation can be bittersweet. It’s a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of the hard work by these high school graduates. But it’s also time of reflection as many of these grads move on toward college, the military, the workforce, often leaving loved ones and friends behind as they transition to a new life.
But we believe our area high schools have done a solid job of preparing our young people toward what is arguably an uncertain future.
A sluggish economy and a tight job market await many of our grads. There are also concerns about the increasing debt many college graduates owe following matriculation at the college level.
But we’re optimistic that the same hard work and dedication that these students have put forth thus far will pay dividends in the future whether they go on to college or pursue other endeavors.
Southern Iowa has a lot to be proud of when it comes to this group of graduates and we gladly salute their achievements and say job well done to their parents, families and friends who have supported them the whole way.
Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
Opinion
May 19, 2012
Congrats to the Class of 2012!
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