We have arrived at that time of year, when students graduating across the country don their caps and gowns and arm themselves with a big grin as they march across the field to receive their diplomas.

This scene will be repeated six times in Limestone County in just a short time. It will occur a seventh time at the University of Montevallo with students enrolled in our virtual school.

Whether a student is finishing up middle, elementary or high school, graduation is an important milestone in their learning journey. Each year, teachers work tirelessly to ensure their students have what they need to advance to the next grade, to the next school or on to life itself.

Students want their graduation to be a special, memorable occasion, and family and friends want to motivate, inspire and capture the enthusiasm for them to reach their goals. Much has been written to commemorate such occasions.

I wanted to remind the Class of 2018 that it is called commencement. It is a new beginning as students transition to alumni and turn the chapter in their life’s book. It is your book to write, and you are only limited by the dreams you set for yourselves.

I am mindful of a quote from Kristin Kan, who writes, “In response to those who say to stop dreaming and face reality, I say keep dreaming and make reality.”

Or perhaps the words of Dr. Seuss, whom I am sometimes confused with, are better suited to commemorate this accomplishment. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

The journey of the 2017-2018 school year draws to a close, but it does so with many remarkable accomplishments to reflect upon. I would be remiss if I didn’t take the time to thank the families of our school system who have trusted us with their greatest asset, their child. The more than 9,000 students who are part of the Limestone County School system are part of a larger collective of families that bring to life the phrase, “We are Limestone!”

This past year, when the state rolled out A-F report cards, our district scored a solid “B.” We have seen significant gains over the year and look forward to learning what next year’s grade might be. Our graduation rate remains in the mid-90s, and we continue to grow in a number of other areas.

From the fields of competition to the music performed in our classes, schools and other public settings, our students have represented themselves well. Our advanced course offerings are among the most rigorous in the country. Our students are entering the workforce in increasing numbers well prepared and ready for life.

There is a tremendous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes that contributes to a successful school system. I want to thank the nearly 140 bus drivers who hit the roads twice a day to transport thousands of students safely. Their smile starts the day and ends the day. These buses travel over 9,000 miles daily to accomplish this task.

Our maintenance team works to ensure 16 campuses are working. They accomplish this task in often hostile weather conditions, and I am grateful to them.

The child nutrition program serves thousands of meals each day, and they do this while following a highly regulated set of rules from the federal government. I appreciate their efforts as well.

Our partnership with the Limestone County Commission and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office ensures our schools are protected with armed deputies on every campus.

We are blessed to serve a richly diverse population of students through our special education programs. Partnerships with community entities allow us to offer several enriching experiences like the Special Needs Rodeo, Special Olympics, Special Needs Fishing Derby and others for the 1,100-plus students in these programs.

I am particularly grateful for the highly trained staff of teachers who recognize and value the relationships they build with their students on their journey to skill mastery. There are no results without relationships. Our teachers are supported by a high skilled group of para-educators, central office staff and administrators who round out our team.

We are truly blessed to live in a wonderful community surrounded by so many caring and supportive folks. The 2017-2018 school year will soon be placed in the history books.

In doing so, we can take comfort in the fact that students enjoyed success, faced challenges and overcame them. The success enjoyed by our students was made possible in part because of the hard work and dedication of over 1000 Limestone County School System employees.

I want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.