Letter to the Class of 2008

To the editor:

Dear members of the Class of 2008:

This is a time like no other in your life. A four month period framed by recognition programs, commencement exercises, and graduation parties, and punctuated with celebratory hugs, photographs with friends and pledged promises of "I will always remember you."

It is a time that marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. It is a time that leads you to reminisce about the past, but encourages you to look forward to the future. It is a time that fills you with a sense of accomplishment and energizes you with a feeling that anything is possible. It is a time you have dreamed about for years, and now, it is here.

The waning days and weeks of your senior year are a whirlwind of activities that celebrates you. It is a heady time. However, the elation and euphoria generated by these events has a dark side.

Over the course of the last 12 years you have learned many skills, mastered complex concepts, and broadened your knowledge base. Let me share with you some information you might have missed on your way.

Last year members of your age group accounted for 54,638 automobile accidents. Most of these occurred during the "graduation season" (May, June, July and August).

The most dangerous hours were between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. One-in-three of these mishaps resulted in a death or serious injury. Fifty percent of the fatal crashes were alcohol-related, and in 90 percent of those instances the driver and his/her passengers perished. These victims were a lot like you, with dreams and aspirations and lives full of promise, however their journey was cut short.

I am not trying to put a damper on your celebration, rather I am encouraging you to make good decisions now and for the rest of your life. Sometimes when you are "living the moment" you lose sight of reality. Life is as fragile as an eggshell and can be lost in the blink of an eye. Sixty-five percent of the fatal crashes that occurred among members of your age group last year could have been avoided had the drivers made good choices before they got behind the wheel and turned on the ignition.

Over the next several weeks many situations will present themselves to you. Some might seem attractive and others might seem like fun, but consider the consequences before you act. Make the right decision for yourself and, if necessary, for your friends. Do not be misled by the false belief of "it can't happen to me." None of the drivers involved in accidents last year thought their lives were in jeopardy as they pulled out of their driveways into traffic. You have a bright and shining future ahead of you, use common sense, be vigilant and exercise good judgment.

I hope you take pride in having earned your high school diploma. You have worked hard, put in many extra hours of study and given the effort necessary to succeed. It is right to celebrate this milestone in your life. Enjoy it. Every person in our collective communities is proud of you and looks forward to watching you pursue your dreams in the years to come.

In closing, I leave you with three wishes. I wish you the best of everything. I wish every dream you have comes true. And, I wish you good health, great friendships, and lives filled with promise, love, and laughter.

Enjoy this time of celebration and be safe.

William B. Lally,

superintendent,

Erie-Huron-Ottawa ESC