Spring is a time for beginnings – the re-greening of trees and lawns, bursts of floral color everywhere. Seeds are planted and new growth emerges.

As late spring enters May and awaits the beginning of summer, the time for graduations also arrives. Throughout the local area, high schools and colleges are celebrating the achievements of students who have completed one stage of their growth and are now ready to move on – either to continue more education or enter the workplace.

At each school, speeches are being delivered, reminding the diploma recipients how far they have come and inspiring them to seek greatness as they move forward.

And even the name for the ceremony that marks graduation – “commencement” – serves to convey the auspicious purpose of the occasion. While graduation does mark the successful conclusion of one phase, it also is just the beginning of so much more.

We congratulate all the graduates in our area for their accomplishments, and we wish each of you well as you commence the next challenges and the many adventures before you.

Happy graduation, Class of 2014!