Karnes County’s young people

This year it was my privilege to have the opportunity to meet and interview the top two graduates from each of our four local high schools.

Each year we produce a graduation special section in the newspaper that contains photos and information about local graduates and their plans for the future.

Several years ago we began including feature stories about the valedictorians and salutatorians from each of the local high schools. We found that having these stories makes this special section more interesting than just a collection of small photos and blurbs on each grad.

It’s been a while since I’ve done these interviews, and I had honestly forgotten what a great experience it can be.

If these eight young people are a fair representation of the kind of young people we are raising in Karnes County, then I want to say that as a community, Karnes County is doing something very, very right.

During the interviews it became clear to me that all eight of these young people are extraordinarily intelligent, polite, and friendly and have wonderful senses of humor.

Although they are finishing at the top of their high school classes and have reached a high level of academic achievement, they are not bookworms.

They have been involved in sports and other school organizations and activities and they have been involved with their community. Despite spending a lot of time with their studies, they also make time for fun – as they should.

In short, I left these interviews with the impression that these young people are well-rounded and very well-prepared for the next stage of their lives.

I believe they are leaving with the kind of values that are common in small towns all over the state and all over the country. They are not only highly intelligent, but they have common sense and they understand the difference between right and wrong. They are not afraid of hard work and they are reaching a point in their lives where they are beginning to realize that there are rewards for that hard work.

I’d like to say that I was like that when I was a senior, but I’m not so sure I was. I remember what I was like at that age, and I know that when I was graduating from high school, I still had a great deal of growing up to do.

To all the high school seniors who are graduating this year – congratulations!

Take a moment to look around and celebrate what you have accomplished and look forward to what the future will bring.

To everyone who contributed to the upbringing of these fine young people, congratulations, as well.

Job well done.

If this year’s crop of seniors are any indication of what the may lay in store for Karnes County as a community, then the future is bright, indeed.