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OpinionSUNDAY NIGHT - Graduates: One letter can made an enormous differenceThe students have now graduated. Congratulations to the Class of 2002 from both North Branch and Rush City. This is an exciting time for you and your families. Your communities are proud of you and your many wonderful accomplishments over the past 13 years, most of which we at the Post Review have covered in one way or another. Itís scary now, because you make us feel old, especially when we can remember you being born. We in the Baby Boomer generation have now watched one, maybe two generations grow from the crib to college. Thatís where we got the gray hair. Up to now, your world has been much like a water color painting - a beautiful array of muted colors, soft lines and large images. Details have not been a regular part of your life, although making good grades and achieving successes in and out of the classroom have been important to you, and it showed. Now, however, itís time to start putting more defined images in your world, much like an oil painting. There will be definite lines and exact edges with which you will have to contend. Many of you will be on your own soon. Youíll be making decisions without Mom or Dad over your shoulder. And youíll like that. You should know that even adults make mistakes, however, so take your time and donít worry if you goof up a little in your advancement to adulthood. However, I do have a few reminders, details you should keep in mind. For instance, remember the thank-yous for your graduation gifts. Remember to get your financial aid applications in on time. Remember to e-mail your friends once youíve parted ways. Remember to balance your check books each month. Remember to wash your clothes on a regular basis. No fair taking them home to Mom. Remember to thank a teacher or mentor who helped make your high school education bearable. Remember to return all the equipment that belongs to school. Remember to get the oil changed in your car. Daddy wonít be there to remind you when your car starts knocking. Remember to put on clean underwear, thatís especially important for a very good reason. (Iím sure your mother explained that one.) Remember to eat healthy meals. Chips and salsa are not that healthy. Remember to rewind the rented videos. Remember to visit your Grandparents. Remember to call home and talk to your younger siblings. Theyíll miss you, more than you know. Remember to sign up for classes that scare you so you can be challenged and grow. Remember to cross your tís, dot your iís, proofread and spellcheck. And why do I say that? Because, if in the first line of this column, the ìwî was accidentally typed as a ìtî the big announcement would read like this: Thatís a detail. Thatís one little letter making an enormous difference. Well, I didnít goof and you did graduate, so congratulations once again. ©ECM Post Review |