Dear Central High School Class of 2019,

I want to express my congratulations to each of you on successfully completing an important milestone in what will be just one of many accomplishments in your lifetime. Your graduation from Central High School marks a significant passage into the real world of adulthood.

You have learned important life lessons both inside and outside of the classroom over these years in school. Relationships have been important and will continue to be important throughout your life. Learn to recognize what a healthy relationship looks like. Nurture and develop those relationships with the people in which you live and work.

Be persistent in finishing everything you start and always do your best. If you fail, shake it off and go again. There will be countless opportunities to succeed. Just do not give up! The great basketball coach, John Wooden said, “Never make excuses. Your friends don’t need them and your foes won’t believe them.” When you do fail choose to get better and not bitter. Martin Luther King Jr. told us to, “Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.” You have proven yourself to be resilient and it is obvious that you come from a strong heritage of folks who help each other when times are tough. Give back to your community where ever you may live. Our lives should be one of service. It is a life principle that doesn’t always make sense but the more you give the more you will receive. Develop and protect your character into one that is hallmarked by integrity. You will forever represent your high school, the Charger Pride and our community. This means you carry the responsibility of representing all of us with the excellence of those who have gone before you. You are now a member of the Central of Lunenburg legacy of honest and hard-working individuals, who work together and do their best. Continue to develop those traits as you enter the workforce, college or the military. This world is never short of people who have a moral compass and are bold enough to speak and act on the truth. Do not succumb to petty jealousies. There is enough good to go around for everyone. Enjoy the victories of others as well as your own. These character traits will ground you on solid ground and serve as a compass as you strike out on this next leg of your journey. May you not only be blessed on your journey but may you also bring a blessing to everyone you encounter. Best wishes to each of you.

Congratulations to each of you and we are so proud of every graduate in the Class of 2019!

Charles M. Berkley Jr. is the Division Superintendent of Lunenburg County Public Schools. His email address is charles.berkley@k12lcps.org.