Congratulations to the now official graduates of Jefferson High School’s Class of 2024. This is a momentous occasion and you should all be excessively proud of yourselves. You now embark! As you do, I’d like to remind you of a few things that I’m sure, on some level, you already know.
While your post graduate euphoria will carry you well through the summer months, I’d point out to you that they are exactly that: months. August is coming. It is coming quickly. To your parents, at least, it’s practically already here. I am sure you are all very excited to arrive at whatever wonderful opportunities await you, but, unlike the past four years of your lives, those opportunities are no longer in the distant future. They are at your door. If you’re heading directly into the workforce, even if staying close to Boulder, you are nonetheless about to experience a dramatic change to your life routine (one I myself am still adjusting to). This summer, you may very well experience a dozen different flavors of separation anxiety, as might your parents and friends. Joy, agony, excitement, and fear will likely intermingle. I urge you to let them! While tricky to navigate, I assure you that this is a particularly beautiful season of life. You should feel the things it asks you to.
There will be tearful goodbyes and “final” gatherings. There will be long digestive talks with your friends and family. You might even have a few alone. Some will be genuine outbursts of emotion. Some a bit forced. Both are good, actually. You are beginning the work of creating your adult selves. While you might’ve heard otherwise, life is, in fact, quite long. It is also a bit of a maze, and occasionally messy. Try stuff! In doing so, you will put to practice the education you’ve received these past four years, which, I think you’ll find, was not strictly academic.
I’d also like to point out that, while August comes quickly, so does Christmas. If leaving, you will, in all likelihood, be back soon enough. If staying, old friends will soon return. The finality that’s created by the pageantry and ceremony of graduation applies only to your relationship to JHS, and not to each other, or your home. Confusing that can make the next few months seem more dire than they actually are. I assure you that your most valuable relationships can remain so, should you choose, no matter where you go. So breathe, a little.
My own graduation was over 10 years ago. The years since have been beautiful. I wish you also beautiful years. And the best of luck on your adventures ahead.
