Last night I attended my nephew’s high school graduation.  He was the only student I knew when I arrived, but by the time the ceremony was over I felt like I knew the entire class.

It was a relatively small class – about 125 – and the program went through the typical steps of addresses from the principal, superintendent and several students together with some musical selections.  All were well done and quite brief.  Then came the presentation of the diplomas, and this is what set this graduation ceremony apart from any other I have attended.  As each graduate’s name was called, he or she stepped to the front of the stage.  The presenter then read a short statement – not more than 2 or 3 sentences – which had obviously been given to them by the graduate.  Most of them mentioned their immediate plans, many talked of long-term hopes and dreams or gave thanks to people important to them.  It was wonderful because even I, who had never met any of them, had a brief moment to get a sense of who the young person on that stage was.  They ranged from shy to brash, and I was engrossed.

Just this morning I came across another article bemoaning, in this instance, the disrespectful attitude of today’s youth, and I am not so naïve as to think that there aren’t some kids around with some serious problems.  But in listening to the words of those graduates on that stage last night I was listening to the future of this country, and I have every confidence that we are going to be okay.

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