Welcome classmates, family, friends and staff and faculty to thegraduation ceremony for the Class of 2010. We are all here tonightto celebrate the accomplishment of a goal set many years ago.Receiving a diploma from high school opens many doors for all ofour futures, while signifying the end of an era of our lives,marked by endless classes, late night study sessions, sweatingtests and final exams, and most exacting of all – note cards!

All these things, along with sporting events, club trips,academic competitions and all the other assorted extracurricularactivities are but a thing of the past. But as graduation is theend of one segment of our lives, it is the beginning of the rest ofour lives.

Some of us will go on to different colleges and universities.For those choosing to further their education, I know that atBrookhaven Academy we have been put in an educational environmentand provided the necessary curriculum that will ensure success atwhatever academic endeavor we may choose.

Some of us may go directly into the workforce, or perhaps chooseto serve our nation as part of the Armed Forces. With the workethic, tenacity and “can-do” attitude we’ve learned here atBrookhaven Academy, I’m confident that any of us will be successfulin an outstanding way regardless of what vocation we may pursue,and regardless of the demands of any given work place. No matterwhere we go, or what path we choose as individuals, I know that atBrookhaven Academy we have been prepared, tested and tried in sucha way that we will know success, and know it in abundance.

On behalf of the Class of 2010, I would like to take theopportunity to thank all the staff, faculty, all the coaches andassistant coaches, all the mentors and especially all our familiesand loved ones for your concern, your support and your lovethroughout all the past 12 years. Without you, tonight doesn’thappen. Without you, Brookhaven Academy doesn’t exist. Without you,our preparation isn’t complete. Without you, we are not who we aretoday. May God bless all of you always.

Jamison Powell is the son of Ken and Sherry Powell.