Around central Minnesota, thousands of students are celebrating a milestone –graduation from high school or college. We salute you.
Throughout the next two editions of the Newsleaders, their names, achievements and future plans will grace the pages of this publication in our People section and special graduation section coming May 28.
All of these graduates have been immersed in book learning, lectures and discussion, hands-on application and service projects for varying degrees of literacy development, scientific discovery, interpersonal communication and artistic expression. And, all of these graduates honed skills that absolutely will be called upon every day: resiliency and adaptation.
The COVID-19 pandemic (yes, that again!) upended everyone’s expectations and plans for 2020 and 2021. While it impacted everyone differently, the pandemic and the safety measures implemented to slow the spread and mortality rate impacted everyone.
We had no choice but to be resilient and adapt.
Rest assured, Class of 2021, this experience and these skills will serve you well. Why?
Simply put: life is messy. The best laid plans are just plans that external forces will reroute or derail at a moment’s notice. Every decision of action – or inaction – also shapes the narrative in this “choose-your-own-adventure” called life.
For those of you who may be thinking to yourself this message is a real downer rather than a celebratory message for our graduates, think again.
This is a message of hope and faith in the future.
No matter what lies ahead in the personal lives, academic pursuits, professional development and chosen communities (local and global) of this group, the Class of 2021 is ready for it.
Assess. Adapt. Succeed.
You’ve got this. We wish you the best, Class of 2021.
