Graduating in an uncertain world

Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 24, 2020

COVID-19 has created the greatest level of uncertainty, on a global scale, since World War II, and this is a tough time to be hitting a major milestone. In spite of the pandemic, this is one of the most interesting points in human history to graduate.

The Post would like to congratulate all the high school seniors for hitting this milestone at a difficult time. We are sure you will persevere and make the most of the accomplishment as you all take your first steps into the adult world, wherever that may take you.

You are missing out on the same graduation you saw friends and siblings enjoy as they moved to the next step. Classes ended for you unexpectedly more than two months ago, seasons were cut short and there was some lack of closure, but you will always be able to tell your story about graduating during the pandemic.

You have all been lucky to be part of a district that was able to continue education despite schools being closed. While it was difficult, unfamiliar and lonely, you kept the advantage of education while some of your peers in other places did not.

This has made an impact on most people on the planet. Has this experience changed how you view the world? How you fit in it? Do you have a new sense of duty or has this experience reinforced the plans you already made?

Health care workers were already in high demand, and this pandemic has shown us how much we need people in health care. Whether you become a surgeon or you keep the hospital halls clean, those jobs are essential and people should be proud to do them.

The pandemic has also shown us how important roles we take for granted are. If you go on to work in logistics, whether you are driving a truck, managing supply chains or delivering mail for the Postal Service, you will be doing an essential job that keeps the wheels turning.

You may want to work in construction or trades to keep thing moving no matter what is going on in the world, or maybe you want to become a scientist who will help keep things like this from happening in the future.

COVID-19 has shown us the value of labor and all the folks who do the things that make a first-world society possible. Some of the fields in the spot light for the past few months have been in demand for years.

The future is uncertain, but we are all finding out how we fit into it. No matter what you choose to do, the Post hopes it is something you can be proud of. Congratulations to all our graduates and All-County Scholars on finishing strong at a remarkable time.