It’s hard to believe, but the Fountain Hills High School class of 2016 is set to graduate in just a couple of days. It seems like only yesterday that this most recent school year got rolling, and now here we are ready to bid farewell to another group of young men and women who are finally ready to set off to pursue further education, jobs, world travel or maybe even a little break before figuring out what comes next in life.

We’ve watched many of these folks grow up over the past 12 or so years, taking part in classroom activities, playing sports, earning awards and honors aplenty and so much more. They’ve put a lot in the rearview mirror at this point, and the best we can do is hope that the road ahead is a smooth one.

To the class of 2016: Your family, friends, teachers and neighbors have done their best to prepare you for what lies ahead. The big secret is that none of us can possibly know what lies beyond the next corner for you. Hopefully you’ve learned a thing or two in “The Hills” that will help you navigate that next series of twists and turns.

Many of the folks who helped you get this far will be on the grassy hillsides of Fountain Park this Friday, May 22, as the class of 2016 takes part in its graduation commencement ceremony. While you look ahead to the future, the community will be where it has always been; At your back, wishing you the best of luck.

Congratulations on reaching this great milestone in your lives, and please check in from time to time to let us know where your own road takes you.