The tradition of modern commencement addresses usually begins with “tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.”  The impact of this statement is profound and for you, the graduate, a chapter in your life comes to a close.   At graduation when you receive your diploma, you will walk through one of the gates in life.  On the other side you will have new friends, new relations, and your world will be different.  As you look back over your shoulder, your memory will be filled with many pictures.  You have seen the adults in your life in times of greatness and despair, you have witnessed us in our times of strength and weakness, but in all of these situations there is beauty.  Beauty that only comes when you realize we were seeking the very best for you.

As you look forward you will see a new freedom—-more than just freedom from school and parents.  You must now cut the ’strings’ of dependence and become independent.  On this side of the gate, you must set your own morals, build your own sense of responsibility, decide for yourself when to be compassionate, faithful, loyal, and yes, when to love.

From this point forward you will not be accountable to bells, teachers, academic dean or principals.  Your accountability now lies with your Heavenly Father who loves you far greater than anyone.

We wish for you God’s richest blessings.