Tears, cheers and fears were aplenty last weekend as Roanoke Valley High Schools graduated over 2000 students and sent them onward into the world. Guest speakers plumbed the depths of past memories and gave inspirational messages for the future but the real emotions of pride, accomplishment and joy were most evident on the faces of students, parents, teachers and best friends who were all tracking new paths into life as the parking lots cleared.
The new graduates face a tough economy and all the uncertainties that go with it, but as Dr. Seuss so aptly put it: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go . . .”