Push ahead and leave your mark on society

In two days more than 200 graduates from Churchill County High school will take their final march to the football field, receive their diplomas and conclude their 12 years of education before setting off on their new venture.

For many students of this year’s graduating class, they will continue their education either at a four-year university of two-year junior or community college; some will attend a vocational school; others will join the military; some will immediately go to work.

Likewise, the 20 graduates from the school district’s Adult Education graduation held last week will also move forward with similar plans that Friday’s graduates will also pursue.

Major decisions await our graduates. For those continuing their education in one form or another, students will pursue course of study that may lead some of them to be our next generation of physicians, dentists and lawyers. Others may opt for the vocational pathway and become our next generation of high-tech auto mechanics, plumbers and electricians.

Other students may decide to wait on pursuing their education and may, instead, join the military. While the war in Afghanistan is winding down, the United States continually relies on young men and women to don the uniform and sere their country, protecting it from both domestic and internal enemies. After joining the military, scores of young men and women eventually take classes while in pursuit of a college degree. Even with the current slimming down of the military, the armed services still need bright, dedicated and eager men and women to serve, some deciding to stay 20 years for a career.

For others, the graduation ceremonies may be the need of their formal education trailing as they opt to enter the work force and learn a trade while on the job.

While the high-school age graduates are examining their post-secondary options, the Fallon graduates of Western Nevada College received their diplomas several weeks ago and many of them have vowed to continue their studies and attend the University of Nevada, Reno, or another institution of higher learning out of state.

The milestone achieved by the WNC Fallon graduates is nothing short of a miracle considering how the future of any graduation in Fallon was uncertain at best because of budget cuts and centralization.

Yet, the dedication of all students, professors and the community ensured that WNC conduct a graduation ceremony in Fallon for those who persevered during one of the most trying times in the college’s history.

To all the graduates — young and old — good luck in your future endeavors. Seek new challenges, push ahead and leave your mark on society as may before you have.

Editorials written by the LVN Editorial Board appear on Wednesdays.