Buckingham County High School was the first public school in the Heart of Virginia to hold its graduation, which took place Friday. Hampden-Sydney College’s commencement was on Saturday. Following shortly after will be Cumberland County High School’s graduation on Friday at 7 p.m., Longwood University’s graduate and undergraduate commencements on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 a.m., and Prince Edward County High School’s graduation on May 24 at 6:30 p.m.

There have been a number of fantastic messages given by speakers in the area encouraging graduates as they move ahead.

Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia, Cynthia Hudson, gave this message on April 29 at the Moton Museum to graduating high school students who received scholarships and outstanding youth awards from the Farmville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“Don’t just let life happen to you,” Hudson said. “You can’t control everything, obviously, but control what you can by making the best decisions that you can.”

Buckingham County High School Award Ceremony Keynote Speaker Jordan Miles, in a column published May 11, delivers a message that graduates have the agency to define themselves and create real change.

“Do not let anyone — no matter how important they are, how powerful they are, how loud they are or how aggressive they are — define who you are and what you stand for. There is only one mortal on this planet who has the power to do that. That person is you,” Miles said. “You have the power to harness opportunity.  You have the power to make a bold difference — whether in your life, or another’s.”

Learning from these speakers’ messages, we want to share this message to you, graduates,  from us at The Herald:

Graduates, you have an entire future ahead of you. Of course there are obstacles and obligations that are different for each person. Whatever growth means to you, whatever your goals, pursue those. If it ticks some people off, fine.

Though sometimes far from where we need to be, know you have a community that will support you and build you up in whatever goals you want to achieve.