If we had a crystal ball in August to see what the school year would end like, would you have done anything differently? Sure, maybe you wouldn’t have invested in that prom dress or tux that didn’t get worn, but deep down, would you have changed anything? Would you not have enrolled in that AP class? Would you not have attended a football game or taken 1,001 selfies with your friends? Would you not have applied to college or made after graduation plans? Would you have gone into your senior year with hope and filled with school spirit and pride?

The sequence of events that unfolded in March could never have been predicted or planned for, but they came. Classes moved to online, prom and grad nights were canceled, graduation ceremonies changed and words like ‘social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer and pandemic’ became a part of everyone’s everyday vocabulary. And, you were given no other choice but to pivot. You completed what was to be your most memorable year under the most unconventional circumstances. And, with the same gusto and hard work that you entered your final year of high school, and even without the crystal ball, you ventured into the unknown and came out on top!

As you embark on the next chapter, remember the strength it took to get this far. When challenges came at you, you ‘leaned in’, worked through them and came out on the other side, still standing. You, the Class of 2020, can make it through anything. Remember what was taken from you, embrace it and use your new-found strengths and willingness to never give up to every advantage you can as you take these next steps in life.