What an exciting time in our lives!

Finishing our elementary school education and moving on to high school. A time of new found independence, new found freedom and new responsibilities. For many of us [insert school name here] is the only school we have attended, starting here in the fall of [insert year] as four year olds. Others may hae joined us along the way. Nevertheless, no matter what year you came to [insert school name here] know and be part of the spirit of the school and the [insert school mascot name :ex. "johnson jaguars"].

Since the day we started, a supportive teaching staff has always been here to guide us. We've been guided in our studies. We had fun participating in [insert school activity].

All of us have many good memories of life at [insert school name]. I still remember when [insert favourite school memory]

For all of us who participated on school teams through the years, well done, way to go! [insert school name] is not always percieved as one of the teams to beat, but it might be hard to find a school in the [state/county/province] with a winning spirit stronger than ours.

Behind every team there was a supportive coaching staff and cheerleaders that would always be by our side, and we were always lucky to have that.

Friendships have been a meaningful part of our life at [insert school name]. Throughout the years, many friendships have been formed. Some will last a long time and others will drift apart. All are still meaningful just the same. As we leave [insert school name], we take with us a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of pride, and the spirit of [insert school name] that will continue on with us.

I want to leave you with some words from a great children's book, "The Places You'll Go", written by the one and only Dr.Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own, and you know what you know,
and YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look them over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
You're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
You'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
You'll head straight out of town.

It's open out there
In the wide open air.

Out there things can happen,
and frequently do
To people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
Don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
With many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
and never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So-- to all of us graduating,
We're off to great places!
Today is your day!
Our mountain is waiting.
So lets get on our way!

Congratulations, graduating class of [enter year] ! We did it!


** Dr. Suess' poem was edited and shortened