it for this they should be commended these people have lived their lives with dignity and determination employed at all times the ideals of the american dream fifty years ago they faced a world of uncertainty and made their lives meaningful to the challenges that they face they did not just lie on their backs and let the winds of a constantly changing and sometimes hostile world controlled they st face to face with the world and work hard to build a life of joy for this they should be commended but this is not all that they did not just embrace the american dream for themselves but they also shared it with  lot through our experiences here at peter's township but we still have much to learn about the american dream in our sheltered lives we have yet to experience the uncertainty of the world and the awesome power that the american dream provides the presence of these fifty year graduates is an inspiration there is much we can learn from their example at this point i would like to individually welcome each member of the class mrs antoinette asked are you know caught mrs may be over forever for others the past five years are only a way to advance education and training but one thing that we all have in common is the world we face and the responsibility that we all have t i hope i get this in the most important function of education at any level is to develop the personality of the individual and the significance of his life to himself and to others praising kirk's profound words prove a point about education through school and life education will not end with the toss of the caps and a few photographs here tonight life's most important lessons are often learned outside of school implementing the skills we have learned through our days in the classroom in a new generation of technology and fast paced development it has become a common problem for many people to lose sight of their true character but it is also because of this intensely changing future honesty responsibility and integrity become increasingly important bitters township's history of integrity has remained strong through many generations of students we as the class of two thousand and two have learned the value of honor from our parents faculty and friends this tradition of students transform this is everlasting because it leads to more freedom with increased freedom comes more responsibility by being accountable for one's actions we have learned that there are consequences for every decision we make no matter how insignificant they may initially appear at this turning point in our lives will be faced with new challenges and harder struggles some of these problems to be faced will not have clear solutions continual trials will slowly shape each individual's personality and sense of self before today most high school students have lived without major conflicts but for those few individuals who have overcome unbelievable odds we should look to them for inspiration they show that it is truly possible to achieve any goal if the determination and resolve are present now as we prepare to head off to an unknown future alone and separate from our support group a family and friends will find many real test of character and strength through future hardships each since sense of self will be more clearly defined and understood well every problem in life can be viewed as an obstacle to success it is actually the result of overcoming a problem that makes someone truly successful everyone that you meet along your journey in life has something to teach you about the world happiness for yourself i thank everyone for what they have taught me through the years and i wish everyone the best of luck next year and whatever direction you go thank on closed circuit t v in our auditorium at this point we're going this evening with rain clouds upon us and our minds fixated on graduation parties and the road ahead very easily distracted from what is taking place right now all right now swe changes are being initiated that will forever change our lives changes so fast that we may have trouble comprehending that today on this beautiful june fourteenth two thousand  we graduate from peters township high school as the bible tells us there's a time in our lives for everything is now time for us to continue on with our lives is it time for us to wave goodbye to the many comforts and certainties that we have fun tightly to from our untidy rooms in our familiar school building to more important aspects like family and friends don't be difficult to loosen our grasp on such things that have given us so many memories but regardless of whether we are ready or not we accept this day and today the world we thought we knew when we entered will suddenly seem drastically different like the time in swim class when you stood just too close to the edge of the pool were about to be pushed into water it may be called or the way particularly like but just like with cold water we all have what it takes to acclimate and then learn to