Editorial | Congratulations to the Class of ‘25
Here’s to the Class of ’25.
Graduations in Lee County wrapped up two weekends ago with nearly 6,200 graduating from the Lee County School District’s 15 high schools, many of them with not only a diploma but with various advanced academic program and industry certifications.
Hundreds more graduated from private and other schools.
They did not have an easy path.
Born during the Great Recession, the Class of 2025 saw their educations interrupted by both a global pandemic and a Category 5 hurricane.
They now face young adulthood in a time of worldwide change and unrest.
To them we say kudos — you got here.
And you’re going to get to your next step of choice.
And the next.
Just like the graduates who have entered the adult world during all the roadblocks in paths past.
We could offer the same sage advice that adults have proffered for generations: Don’t expect points for effort anymore; accept that nobody owes you anything, and be prepared to deal with the hard, cold fact that life is often neither fair nor easy.
But we know that the Class of 2025 is well aware of life’s harsh realities.
So instead of the traditional get-ready-to-grow-up mantra, we will again recognize that there are many in this year’s graduating class, both here in Lee County and across the state of Florida, who are, indeed, already adults, young adults who want to change a world that needs changing.
On that mission, we wish them well.
And we wish that there was far, far less for them to tackle.
Breeze editorial