These are exciting times for hundreds of high school seniors and their parents or guardians across the Teche Area.

The students are putting four years of high school behind them and starting a new chapter in their life after commencement exercises at their respective high schools. 

Hopefully, many of those graduating young men and young women will return to their respective communities following their years of higher education or stay and work in their hometown or area if they decide against a post-high school education. What that means to a community was illustrated recently in The Daily Iberian’s special section 20 Under 40, which saluted men and women who have chosen to live, work and volunteer to improve New Iberia. 

Each graduate deserves wholehearted congratulations. You have made the grade.

Regardless the path each graduate takes, he or she will face challenges. Remember, graduates, now is the time to step ahead and shape your own identity.

With that in mind, I’d like to share five  of my favorite inspirational quotes from well-known people. I’ll call it food for thought for graduates.

• “What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

• “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” — Stephen Covey

• “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy (or gal) who’ll decide where to go.” — Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

• “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have to power to imagine better.” — JK Rowling

• “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

I’m sure many more inspirational passages have been heard and will be heard by this area’s seniors. Take them to heart.

Area high school graduations began May 5 and are scheduled through May 27.

To date, Assembly Christian School, Catholic High School, Centerville High School, West St. Mary High School, Franklin Senior High School and St. Martinville Senior High School have held graduation ceremonies. On tap are graduations at Jeanerette Senior High on Monday; Loreauville High School on Tuesday; Westgate High School on Wednesday; New Iberia Senior High School on Thursday; Delcambre High School and Highland Baptist Christian School on Friday; Erath High School on Saturday; Hanson Memorial High School on May 21, and Episcopal School of Acadiana on May 27.

Godspeed and best of luck to all graduating seniors.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR