At the dawn of the new millennium in 2000, as rumors of the Y2K bug ran rampant and the world over tried to ensure the safety of its computers, this year’s graduating class was merely anticipating the latter half of second grade. In 2001, the world watched as thousands lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. As a result of the attacks, America’s involvement in the war on terror increased and sights were set on finding justice in the Middle East. The reality of the wars hit closer to home as increasing numbers of students saw members of their own families leave to serve their country. But then, at a time when the nation’s future seemed set in the Middle East, people turned their attention to a variety of other issues: the new movement to “go green,” the changing state of higher education in America, the advent of new forms of technology. 

However, at the close of 2008, something happened. As many had come to accept the status quo and had settled into their daily routine, President Obama came along, a relatively unknown senator from Illinois, charging that all we had to do was change. Sen. John McCain, the distinguished serviceman from Arizona, challenged Americans to do the same. Both candidates came to represent the need for change, the need for people to take charge and decide the course of their future. But even as we witnessed the rise of our first African-American president,  we were faced with the harsh realities of an economic recession. Recently, the district has adopted budgets cuts as a way of preparing for the tumultuous times that still lie ahead.

 Yet, in spite of this, there remains hope. In spite of the uncertainty that comes with the dawning of the new decade, there is still more left to which we can aspire. 

Here begins our chance to say that we are ready to volunteer our time, our efforts and our abilities to any of numerous causes that are important parts of our lives. Whether it’s the environment, the war in Afghanistan or the fight for health care, there’s no excuse for inactivity and blaming others for unwanted changes which occur.  

That hope lies with those among us who are willing to sift through the sea of change and find what it takes to make the difference. That hope lies with those among us who are willing to go the extra distance and fight for what we know is right. Instead of taking the easy way out and blaming it on our youth and inexperience, we can decide to seek out the opportunities, we can decide to make this year count, we can decide to be the change. We can make 2010 matter.