As we congratulate the graduates of Lincoln County high schools this week, we hope many will keep their community in mind as they venture out into the world.
We encourage all the graduates to follow their dreams and ambitions, whether to higher education, the workforce, the military, or other.
See the world. Make a fortune. Start a family.
But we hope you all remember where you came from, and at least consider returning, and consider what you can do for your hometown.
Those of you who stay, or who move back after college, consider the same.
How can you serve your community? What can you do to make a difference right here?
Our community is aging, and it seems like every year there are fewer people to do the jobs that need doing.
Maybe you can contribute as a coach of youth sports or a member of a town board or committee. Maybe you can start a business and employ some of your fellow graduates.
Maybe those of you who become CEOs or sell your app to Facebook or Google can slice off a bit of your fortune to help the institutions that helped you – your school, for example, or the YMCA. Maybe you can relocate your high-tech startup to Lincoln County and import a few dozen – or hundred – high-paying jobs. Why not? We know someone in the class of 2016 has it in them.
Should you move on and never return, or only return on vacations, we hope you keep in touch. We love to hear from people who grew up in Lincoln County and are doing interesting things in the world beyond our borders.
Just don’t be surprised when we call you a “person from away” or a “summer person” or other, more colorful words – especially if you’re tailgating us and your license plate says Massachusetts.
Congratulations to all of you, and from all of us at The Lincoln County News, good luck in your future endeavors, whatever they may be.
