To the Class of 2011, let us be the first to say congratulations.

Graduating from high school is a milestone accomplishment in life, and it’s certainly something you should be proud of and celebrate.

You worked hard to get here.

You completed hours and hours of homework, filled volumes of notebooks with notes, and asked countless questions along the way.

All those hours, notebooks and questions have paid off. Now you get the chance to walk across the stage or field and accept your diploma.

For some of you, this will mark the end of your academic career.

You’ll join the workforce and become a valuable part of our community. For others, you will stay in the world of academia and pursue a college degree.

In either case, we would like to challenge you all to continue learning.

Just because you have that piece of paper that labels you a high school graduate, don’t toss your thinking cap into the closet along with your cap and gown.

You’re education isn’t over yet.

In fact, it will never be over. At least we hope not.

Former United State’s Secretary of War, Newton Baker once said, “The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after.”

In our 4G world, things change in the blink of an eye. It is absolutely necessary to be a lifelong learner. If you’re not keeping up, you’re falling behind, and that’s bad news for the rest of us.

It’s been said a million and one times that “children are our future.”

Yes, it’s cliché.

It’s also true.

You have been set on a course that will hopefully lead to success.

Plato said, “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future.”

The Class of 2011 is off to a good start.

Stay the course and chase your dreams.

You are our future, and we wish you all the best as you pursue your dreams – whatever they may be.Education not over yet for gradutes