It is time to offer congratulations to all the graduating seniors of the Class of 2019. After being handed their diploma, some people will move away, and never be seen again. Other graduates will find their niche and never leave the area. Either way, they are the future. For what this may be worth to you as a graduate, or more likely to a reader, who can pass this along to a graduate, is some advice for the future.

Today’s column is partly taken from a speech I gave a few years ago to the National Honor Society graduates during a dinner at the Canasawacta Country Club. If you were there, please accept my advanced apology for repeating myself.

Whether you are one of the best athletes in your class, or academically in the top 10% of your peers, very soon those titles will lose much of their hometown significance. At the college athletic level, all of the participants are gifted and you will be just one of the many trying to make the team. Your good high school grades will likely cause stress once in college if you try to keep up your status at the top of the class because the collegiate competition is greater and the top grades are harder to obtain.

Adulthood has arrived and whether you are continuing your education, entering the military or the workforce, it is all on you now. Your formative years are behind you and once out of high school is your chance to become the person you’ve always wanted to become. No matter if its college or work, you should set some personal goals. No one expects you to be a millionaire by age 25, but your target might be a home of your own by 25. Having a prize at the end of a path keeps you focused and makes the journey a worthwhile trip.

Making new friends is different now that you’ve matured. As an adult, the people you will meet are no longer your playmates; they are your network of friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. Choose your new friends wisely because you will be judged by the company you keep. Do stay loyal to your high school friends, because in the future they may offer you a job, or you may be the person to help one of them out of a jam. Always remember, you share a noteworthy life-event with your high school graduates and that bond will last until you are old and gray, no matter where you end up in this world.

Alcohol and drugs will be everywhere. Both are a segment of adulthood and it is your decision if you choose to make either of them a part of your lifestyle. You should know upfront, both are risky, expensive, sometimes illegal and almost always detrimental. These substances may be tempting at college as a way to deal with stress. For non-collegiate types, alcohol and drugs are a bad choice for habitual activities after work. The future of your health and wealth will depend upon your choice.

Don’t become lazy or irresponsible. The reputation as a punk or class clown might make you a maverick or a ‘cool kid’ in high school, but those are traits few people admire in an adult. No one will trade you a paycheck for your work efforts if you’re a slacker. The career fields and job markets of today are much different from ten years ago, and will drastically change over the next ten years. You need to be agile to adapt your skills and education to whatever the future has in store. Your college degree or occupation may become archaic and disappear. On the other hand, it is likely new jobs and inventions will happen which will be a perfect fit for you. Be ready to adjust your course and don't be afraid of change.

Everyone wants you to be successful. Your friends and family are pulling for you and want nothing but the best for you. If you do become wealthy, move into a big house and drive an expensive car, remember the things which money cannot buy, but even a poor man can have; happiness, health, a good reputation, patience, manners, humility, class, morals, integrity, and character. Hopefully, you have learned these things in the past thirteen years because you’re going to need them for the rest of your life.

My last piece of advice is you need not listen to the words of a stranger telling you what should be done. You might want to find someone you trust and talk to them about the future. Ask about the mistakes they made and their experiences. Good luck, have fun, we’re all proud of you.