It is right and proper that we encourage learning and accomplishment.   This season we congratulate Tiana, Andrew, Ethan, Mikayla, Elaina and Christina among the many others that have achieved the conference of degrees that allow them to enter the next phase of life journey.   It’s hard work to make it thru to the next level and very special to do so with honors.  These young people are critical to our future. They will be the leaders and practitioners implementing and evolving our society.

The traditions of robes, and sashes and medals and ropes have evolved over time to represent academic accomplishments and leadership honors. They should be understood and valued.  The garb and trappings of graduation goes back to medieval clergy robes, and subsequent evolution to 12th century schools of advanced learning, where graduation considered a step.  The Latin word for step is ‘gradus’.  And so too today’s graduates make a step into the next of life-learning-phases.  With hope and pride, we watch them achieve.  Proud of their accomplishments and hope they will make our world an ever better and safer place.  Millions of graduates at all levels, making their steps to the next level, so many with hope and so great the accomplishments.  Surely we will all benefit from their future works, and so we encourage and are encouraged by these young people!