The month of May marked several milestones related to graduations. Two nieces received their diplomas. My nephew, Riley, remarked "Has it been three years since I graduated?" That question reminded me it was 5 decades since I walked that line the first of at least three for a diploma. What was once a monumental occasion has dimmed and been placed in the context of other achievements. However, the high school Commencement is probably the most important of all. Up until the last part of the 20th century a high school degree was rarely achieved. Indeed, only 50 per cent of those entering high school actually receive a diploma even today. That statistic is reprehensible considering how little we value that degree today.
Today nearly everyone in my family has at least that degree if not more. Before my generation, only about 2/3 graduated and before that,--well life's circumstances such as poverty, custom, and work, tool precedent. So congratulations to my two nieces. You follow in a good tradition, and I wish you all the best and pleasant memories.
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