To our high school graduates, let me be the first, or the fiftieth, to say: You made it! Caps in the air, dreams in your heart, and probably a missing library book still out there somewhere! Let’s pause because Graduation Day was not just about a piece of paper. It was about every step you took, or stumbled through, to get there. That moment didn’t come easy. It came with early morning tests, broken pencils, group projects where you did all the work, and yes, at least one all-nighter fueled by energy drinks and prayer. Still, you showed up. You pressed forward, even on days when the alarm clock lost the battle, even when the math made no sense, and the Wi-Fi gave out during your Zoom finals. You have succeeded, not just by academic standards, but by faith, persistence, and sheer grit. That diploma is not just a symbol of grades. It’s a receipt for every time you kept going when quitting felt easier.
Now, let’s talk about the behind-the-scenes heroes: the parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and guardians who cheered you on. They survived your mood swings, late-night rants, and science fair meltdowns! To these heroes, we honor you because without your love and your checkbook, this momentous celebration might not have taken place for some.
To the educators, bless you! You taught through the pandemic, policy changes, and hallway dramas. You gave more than lessons; you gave purpose. You believed in your students when they didn’t believe in themselves. Somehow, you kept teaching even when the SmartBoard didn’t work, and half the class was asleep. We thank you for shaping minds and surviving cafeteria duty!
To the community, churches, mentors, coaches, and neighbors, you “brought the village.” You provided support, advice, rides, snacks, and the occasional sermon when the students needed direction. You planted seeds of discipline, faith, and hope. On Graduation Day, “the harvest was plentiful”!
Now graduates, take a look ahead. Life will present you with many choices. Some will be exciting: college majors, career paths, where to live, who to marry, and yes, what to eat for dinner every night. Others will be hard: how to handle failure, which doors to close, when to speak up, and when to stay silent. Remember that every decision is a seed. Plant wisely. You can’t control every outcome, but you can control your integrity, work ethic, faith, and character.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (MEV) says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” In other words, God’s GPS doesn’t glitch. Trust Him with your route ahead. Go forward boldly. Keep one eye on your dreams and one on your budget because Ramen noodles might be in your future! Don’t worry because you’ve already proven you know how to find your way. Congratulations, Class of 2025! You made it — on purpose!
