Jill's Journal: ‘Do you know where you’re going to?’

It was the mid-’70s when I heard Diana Ross’ version of “Do You Know Where You’re Going To” for the very first time. It was played for us as we began the process of moving mid-school year from the two-story Armstront School on the north side of town to a new addition to the junior high school on the south side of town.

I remember it being a bit “scary.” After all, we would be joining the seventh and eighth graders there, and who knows what we were about to come our way.

As it turned out, life wasn’t that much different. Simply, it was a bigger school with bigger opportunities.

I imagine the 300-plus seniors at Brandon Valley have some of those same apprehensions as their final days of high school come to a close.

In recent weeks, I’ve been working on next week’s graduation special section. It’s a daunting task, but a task that we feel strongly about.

As I’ve perused their responses to questions we ask our seniors every year, I can tell you that not every senior at age 17 or 18 knows where they’re going to or what they’re going to do. But not knowing is by no means failing.

In my talks with Principal Mark Schlekeway about this class, he’s described this senior class as a class that “got it done” and “didn’t care “ whether or not they received notoriety for doing so.

So, whether you’re one of those seniors who has it all mapped out, good for you, or a senior on the other end of the spectrum who just isn’t quite sure what’s in store, good for you, too.

Life is to be explored. Make good choices and surround yourself with good people. And no doubt, you’re sure to find “where you’re going to.”

Congratulations, grads!