For the Graduates

By Steve Gwisdalla

Congratulations to the class of 2026! As a professional coach, consultant, and all-around happy guy, I would like to offer some advice, humor, and perspective as you end this chapter of your lives and look forward to the next.

First and foremost, look around. You will never see the world through the lens you are using right now. Once you graduate, your lens will be very different. More on the difference later. Right now, slow down, put your phone in your pocket and look around. Your community, your family, and your friends are all in your corner. Soak that in.

Second, it’s ok if you have no idea what’s next for you. Some of you are going off to college. That’s fabulous and congrats on that. Some of you will take some time to figure things out. That’s fabulous. Some are going to trade schools. Fabulous. Some will enter the job market. Fabulous. Your next thing won’t be your last thing, and you know what that is? You got it, fabulous. It’s ok to not know what your long-term goals are. It’s ok to want to dip your toes in the water of adulting before diving in. Take this time to just be. The world will keep spinning. You will find your calling. I promise.

Third, be sure to take a moment to thank those who helped get you to this point in your life. Parents? Of course. Teachers? You bet. What about siblings, aunts, uncles, little league coaches, the wonderful people behind the counter at the coffee shops and hang outs you frequent? Yep, them too. Thank them, and please mean it.

Fourth, you are about to realize just how cold the world really is. I hate to break it to you, but the world doesn’t care if you succeed or fail. It doesn’t care if you fall. You know who does care? A great many of those people mentioned above who you are going to thank. The places and faces you stopped to look around and notice in my first suggestion are going to have your backs as well. Some of you will venture far, some will stay close. Home is where the people who will cheer, root, and love you are. Never forget that.

2026 graduates, congratulations. The good news is that much is going to be expected of you. The bad news is that much is going to be expected of you. We are rooting for you. We applaud your accomplishments. We look forward to your successes and we will be there when you fall. Please, please, please don’t worry about any of that now. Set your own expectations and live to exceed them. Let me say that again. Set your own expectations and live to exceed them. Let your expectations set your compass. No one else’s. You can do it. We believe in you. More than you know, your hometown wishes you every good thing.

Congratulations!