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Editorials - 06/01/00Class of 2000 enters world at special time |
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Over the Memorial Day weekend, Jackson County sent into the world 214 bright, shiny faces looking foward to the future. That's the number of graduates from Blue Ridge High and Smoky Mountain High.
We're always proud of our graduates and look forward to what the future holds for them, but this year's group will always be special. After all, this is the Class of 2000. Usually the year of graduation is just a number that stands out to no one other than the graduates themselves. There have been a few exceptions such as the Bicentennial year of 1976 and to a lesser extent 1999, the last of the millennium. Being a member of the 2000 graduating class is special not just because of the number but because of the exciting world these graduates are entering. With the explosion of technology in the past few years, it's hard to imagine what kind of world these young men and women will be entering. Within this decade, they may find offers in job fields we've never even heard of today. How many members of the Class of 1990 had heard of a webmaster? We're biased, but we'd put our graduates up against any in the nation, not only in their knowledge but also in the caliber of people they are. Living in a small community gives us a stake in the lives of our young people. We know them and their parents. We've watched them grow up. In many cases we know their grandparents. Maybe it does take a village to raise a child. Everything didn't go smoothly as our graduates went through high school. As freshmen at Blue Ridge, they dealt with a controversy over a new principal who lasted only half a year. Two days before graduation came word that a math teacher/women's basketball coach had been dismissed - news that went especially hard with Lady Bobcat basketball seniors. The past two years brought controversy at Smoky Mountain. Last year it was an uproar over senior projects, while this year's valedictorian issue drew attention across the region. Through it all, the graduates persevered and were made stronger by what they went through. They weren't afraid to stand up for what they believed in, but they didn't let the controversy consume them. Graduates, wherever you end up don't forget your Jackson County roots. We're confident you'll do well. We're counting on you. Editorial policyThe opinions expressed on this page are those of the Sylva Herald Editorial Committee. Opinions are derived independently and owe no allegiance to any group, organization or political party. We welcome opposing views. |
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