For the Class of 2012 your time has come. Most of you have been in a classroom for 13 or more years. You probably have the feeling that you are ready to leave the nest. You are ready to stretch your wings and fly away to your part of the world. But beware, the world is a big place.

Events that have occurred since your birth bring to mind how much the world has changed since you entered kindergarten. From cell phones to Facebook you have experienced many changes both good and bad. The information age continues to expand at an increasingly faster rate and the world you will be moving into seems to move faster as well. But for a short period next week many of your parents or grandparents may have thought about the first day they walked you into kindergarten for the first time. The child that was dropped off at the door several years ago and worried about leaving is about to move even further away from their watchful eyes.

You have worked hard to reach this point in your life. Many hours of studying, doing homework, working on projects and taking tests has culminated in the last few days of your senior year. You have made friends that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. You have had teachers and mentors that have invested their time and talents into the person you have become. Many prayers have been said over you and will continue to be prayed.

But as the tassel is moved next week you will have stepped into a new part of your life. No longer are you high school students but young adults taking on the world. Many of you will enter college to further your education, some will enter the work force, and others may join the armed forces in defense of our country. You will have many choices to make as you move into this part of your life. You have unlimited opportunities in your life, many dreams to fulfill and many adventures ahead of you. Your wings are warming up and getting ready to fly. Go forward with these words from the Book of Psalms:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together) in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14.

May God continue to bless you and keep you safe and know that you are loved by your parents, extended family and friends.

Randy Garrison is the president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.