For the graduates - you made it!

Congratulations, graduates — the day is here. It’s been coming a long time.

If you start counting with first grade it’s been 12 years. If you begin from their first year with a teacher, as in pre-school, it could be as many as 16 years. That’s a long time to stick with something. A celebration is well in order.

How is it possible that so many of our young ones have reached this day, and done it well? The 2024 Sisters’ graduation rate will be above 90 percent.

As well deserved as it is, they didn’t do it by themselves. From day one Mom and Dad, grandparents, and other important adults believed that these young people could develop skills and competencies that would help them succeed in life.

What a concept — that we adults can influence the day of graduation, starting that many years ago. Rating right up there with the importance of unconditional love is the importance of this belief. Equally important is that kids know and understand that we believe in their potential.

Another important part of the puzzle is knowing each child as an individual. If you have four, like I did, what was important to each of them, what their dreams were, and who they were as a person was something I needed to know. Without that, it would have been very hard for me and my husband to monitor, encourage, and help them become the adults they are today.

A nonprofit here in Central Oregon known as Kids Inspired Do Succeed (KIDS) connects with underserved, at-risk youth so they can take part in meaningful and transformational activities. It is an organization that understands that believing in kids and their dreams is important and can make a difference between succeeding or not.

I feel certain that each of our graduates, at some point in their growing up, knew that someone believed in them and cared enough to provide the guidance, help, and love to get them where they are today. When I directed Camp Tamarack, I often reminded my counselors that they could be the one person who make a difference in the life of a camper. Who was that person in the lives of each of our graduates?

In the “Sisters salutes” column of the June 5 edition of The Nugget, Regan Roberts, the executive director of Sisters Graduate Resource Organization (GRO), had this to say to the graduates who received scholarships: “What you should take from this night (that of the award ceremony) is not the number of scholarships each person receives, or the total dollar amount, but the belief and support of the entire community. It is rare and special... we are all behind you.”

If you are a graduate, I hope you’ll think back over the past years and recognize those who believed you would make it to this milestone. I’m sure they would be pleased to know how valuable their trust and support were in getting you where you are today. If you are a parent or grandparent, whether to a toddler, middle schooler, or someone soon to graduate, it’s never too early or late to let them know how much you value them as an individual. By helping them recognize their skills and abilities you are building grit, a quality recognized in each of our graduates as they receive their diploma.

Graduates, you’ve made it, and now it begins again. New adventures and a new life, whether it’s off to work, college, the military, trade school, or other pursuits. The biggest difference is that it’s now important for you to have faith in yourself and know you can make it on your own. Believe in yourself, inspire yourself, and enjoy your success. The success of today, and that which is yet to come.

Edie Jones serves on the Sisters School Board, is the former owner and director of Camp Tamarack, and the retired Executive Director of Together For Children, a parenting program in Central Oregon.