Thousands of members of the class of 2017 will take part in ceremonies across The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area this graduation season — to celebrate a rite of passage and embark on the next adventure.
Some will head out from Lutz, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, San Antonio and St. Leo to continue their studies in other locales.
Some will go to far off places; others will stick closer to home.
The list of their declared colleges includes the University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, Saint Leo University, Pensacola Christian College, University of South Florida, New York University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Cornell University, Florida State University, Rasmussen College, Pasco-Hernando State College and Hillsborough Community College.
Their aspirations run the gamut, too.
One wants to study culinary nutrition. Another, finance and actuarial science. One plans to study music education; another, microbiology.
There are members of the class of 2017 interested in pursuing careers in all sorts of engineering — including electrical, computer and chemical engineering,
Other majors include advertising and finance, pre-dentistry and biomedical sciences.
The list goes on and on.
Before heading to that new chapter in their lives, however, these students and their families will pause to celebrate the Class of 2017’s accomplishments so far.
Some graduates will take part in small, intimate ceremonies. Others will march into huge auditoriums.
And, while the world around them gets noisier by the day — with partisan politics and increasing international turmoil — these ceremonies likely will be marked by time-honored traditions.
Whether the gathering is large or small, there likely will be music and speeches.
Each graduate’s name will be announced.
There will be photos and applause, and friends and family members will gather for parties, too.
And, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Many members of the class of 2017 have distinguished themselves by embracing academically rigorous courses, and acing them.
This crop of students has experienced a technological revolution during their lifetimes.
They’ve mastered such social media channels as Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
They have become experts at posting to Facebook and YouTube.
They feel lost without their Smartphones, and texting comes second-nature to them.
The Digital Age has left its mark on their learning, too. Traditional lectures and textbooks are often enhanced by a world of information, available through the Internet, just a few keystrokes away.
While many graduates plan to pursue higher education, others will be heading to the workforce.
Some don’t know what kind of work they’ll pursue, and others will likely end up in careers that do not yet exist.
Some receiving diplomas this year, far exceeded the requirements for graduation, while others barely squeaked by.
But, regardless of how they arrived, each has accomplished a milestone and has reason to be proud.
The Laker/Lutz News salutes members of the Class of 2017.
Published May 17, 2017
