It’s that time of the year — high school graduation time.
It’s not that often that both Pittston Area and Wyoming Area graduate on the same night, but it happened this past Friday and under ideal conditions, I might add.
This year’s Pittston Area graduation had a bit of a twist due to the construction of new stadium bleachers; the graduation ceremony was held on the visitors’ side of the field.
Some long-time readers may recall graduations were always held on the visitors’ side — in particular, in the 1970s.
I’m not sure when the ceremony was moved to the home side of the stadium or why it was held on the visitors’ side to begin with. Perhaps it had to do with sunset?
Having graduation outside is always ideal because you can increase the number of attendees over having it in the gym or auditorium.
There’s nothing like being outside under ideal weather conditions. Knowing how unstable the weather has been over the spring, it could have been a hit and miss situation.
I’m not sure who has a direct line to the Heavens, but someone must have been owed a favor in order to have a few straight days of exceptional weather conditions.
Graduation is such a great closing chapter to a part of life that will never be regained. It’s sad to say but, once your childhood is gone, it’s gone for good.
Once you hit adulthood, you’ll never find yourself getting taller, filling out, getting mature, finding your voice (literally and figuratively) and gaining knowledge like a sponge.
And, once you’ve reached adulthood, there will be a constant status about yourself for many years. You will pretty much look the same and you will sound the same with little fluctuation. The fun of growing up is over.
I hope those who graduated from high school this year appreciate the fact that one of the most precious times of their lives is now in the past. We take our high school years for granted and feel it’s just an annoying phase of our lives we have to endure to be a grownup.
Being a grownup should not be a goal – it happens organically, whether you like it or not. So why push it?
How many times as a child did you catch yourself saying, “I can’t wait until I’m older” or “I wish I were 21”?
There will be a day when you will wish just the opposite, when you realize adulthood isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Adulthood = responsibilities.
With that said, you need to try to be a kid as long as you can because that can only happen for a few years before that organic change takes place.
But don’t rush it. Enjoy your years as a teen and even the years between 18 and 21. Those are difficult years to deal with.
If you choose college, you are putting your mind to task where you are building a foundation for the rest of your life. Adding to the fact that the attainable goal of being 21 is still a few years away makes things a bit more frustrating.
Building your foundation is something that cannot be taken lightly, yet it is in a lot of cases. It’s so important to focus on what you want out of your life. If you succeed over the next few years, your life will be so much easier to handle than if you are filled with uncertainty.
If you fall behind others at the next juncture of your life, you will be behind all others in your peer group and that’s not a great feeling.
Eventually, years turn into decades and, when that happens, you’ll be at an age when all of your friends are looking towards retirement and you’re still looking at a way to get out of financial trouble or how it might be impossible to ever retire.
On the other hand, over the next four years, you will experience great times in your life.
In addition, if you choose so, you’ll get a great education, your social life may triple, you might fall in love, you may be looking at marriage and, who knows, in a couple of years, you may have a child of your own.
The next few years will determine a lot about your and your life and, even though your mind won’t fully mature until your mid-20s, you have to make some serious decisions sooner than later.
Enjoy this graduation weekend and the summer to come but know you have to get down to business quickly.
Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2019.
Vettes for Vets
Today marks another event supporting our area veterans when Ron Gitkos will host Vettes for Vets at his Valero Service Station, better known as West Side Auto, on Wyoming Avenue in West Pittston.
The event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. where there will be food, raffles, entertainment and, of course, beautiful Corvettes on display.
All proceeds go West Pittston 1st Lt. Jeffrey F. DePrimo American Legion Post 542.
Get out and get to the event; it’s a great day to celebrate heroes.
Quote of the week
“It is what a man thinks of himself that really determines his fate.” – Henry David Thoreau, American poet
Thought of the week
“Pride and conceit were the original sins of man.” – Alain Rene Lesage, French satirical dramtist
Bumper sticker
“I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse.” – Florence Nightingale, British humanitarian
