It takes a lot of dedication and faith in oneself to make it all the way through school to graduation day. A lot of good old-fashioned hard work is an essential ingredient as well.

Taking the march to the podium and receiving that all-important scrap of paper that represents all those years of effort makes for a special memory to be held dearly for all of one’s lifetime.

We salute all of the graduates from 2013, from the junior high schools through the colleges, for achieving what they so earnestly sought after.

May the following years bring much success in the realization of your hopes and dreams.

Even though the regional, national, and world economies may yet remain sluggish and prove to be challenging environments to launch a budding new career, it is the new blood being introduced into the system that can most effectively revitalize and stimulate growth and recovery across the board.

We welcome you all to the world that you will inherit. May it reward you with the prosperity you so richly deserve.