Final exams! Prom! Senior Week! Graduation! Goodbyes! For the graduating class of 2003 the months of May and June signal lots of special, meaningful activities. These months are looked forward to with great excitement but also with bittersweet anticipation. Graduates may look forward to the new challenges and experiences of leaving high school, but at the same time feel a sense of dread because, in their hearts they know that life as they know it would change forever and nothing will ever be the same.

The chorus of the popular graduation song, "Friends Forever" says, "As our lives change, come whatever, we will still be friends forever." A sad part about moving on may be leaving friends behind. However, the end of high school does not have to signal the death of friendships. In this era of instant messenger and email you only lose touch with friends if you want too. So do exchange email addresses with those you want to keep in contact with. Make a pact to email each other at least once a month and keep it.

The song Friends Forever also asks the questions, "Can we survive out there?" "Can we make it somehow" The answer is a resounding yes! You can survive out there! You can make it! Just think of this as entering a new phase in your life. As with everything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. If you approach these new challenges with a positive attitude and a mind that is made up to work hard to achieve the success you want in life you will make it!
Life as you know it, will change, but the future is before you! Make the best out of it. Step out into a brand new world… This is only the beginning.

Good luck graduates! May God bless you all as you start a new chapter in your lives. I believe in you… please do have faith and believe in yourselves.