I’ll remember always Graduation Day. Most of us have that common experience. Of all the graduations, I believe that high school graduation is the most significant. It is the moment in a whole lifetime of moments when the general population agrees that this mortal has enough experience, support and training to step onto life’s stage and be responsible for her/his own choices. That’s big.

In the MHS Class of ‘71 yearbook there is an iconic photo that illustrates the range of feeling experienced on Graduation Day. Debby Price (Thomas) is the one in tears. Dave Showell is the 

 one who can’t wipe the grin off his face. The rest of us were somewhere in the middle. Now, 55 years later, tears and grins and feelings in-between have filled our lives. It’s the same for every graduate, and I am certain the key to a rich life is being grateful for every moment, sad as well as happy and then learning from those moments. Yep, learning. Seems that’s what we are here to do. After graduation that learning is not orchestrated by mom or dad, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Zundell or Mr. Thomas, it’s all up to the graduate. 

So, kids, keep learning. Take the good times and the bad and make better times. If you can make better times consistently, you will get to the best times and that makes for a Good Life! Congratulations Class of ’26!