Congratulations to the Boothbay Region High School and Wiscasset Middle High School 2022 graduates. You’ve made it through 13 years of schooling, the last two having been perhaps the most tumultuous of any in your lives due to the pandemic. In school, out of school, sports canceled, sports season shortened, fewer school and public gatherings … these are just some of the things you have had to deal with.

But you’ve made it! And this is just the beginning of your adulthood. We hope your dreams come true and that you can make a difference in this topsy-turvy world we are now experiencing. Climate change, the economy, racial tension and political divide are just four topics that need fixing. One of my favorite quotes is from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” If you have a chance, now that you are out in the world, join that thoughtful group and be committed. It may not be a national or worldwide problem you are trying to remedy – it may be a local issue – but we still urge you to get involved.

Enjoy your summer and good luck in your future endeavors. And be glad that you grew up in this mostly civil part of the country.