Word of Beak: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams

This marks the first week of the final semester for the 2012-13 school year, with only five months left to go before summer break.

Seniors are on their final leg, tying up loose ends at high school, and hammering out plans for after graduation.

This is, in a sense, the end to the beginning for the class of 2013.

Graduation is always a community event as the football stands are filled, not for kickoff, but to celebrate the end of the initial 12 years of schooling and the beginning of the rest of the students' lives. Though graduation is still months off, students and parents are starting to stress and yearn for that very day.

I know that my parents are looking forward to — and dreading — the day they see me walk across the platform to receive my diploma; the day when I will move the tassel on my cap and toss it into the air.

As parents begin preparing for the inevitable date, and seniors become antsy waiting for the glorious night, other members of the community should be cautious when addressing the topic of graduation.

People must understand that the parents also go through some anxiety when thinking that their babies are growing up and will be on their own.

Some parents are more sensitive to this thought process than others, while some look forward to the day to celebrate their child's or children's accomplishment, whether it be to kick them out of the house or to watch them soar with the wisdom bestowed by their parents.

Anyone who knows a parent of a senior should take into consideration how they are handling their student's final semester of high school, or if they have even thought about the remaining months of high school.

Some seniors may not be thoroughly thrilled about seeing their lives fly by them, though quite excited to close another chapter.

The common question, "Are you excited to graduate?" could be taken in a way it was not meant simply because the student is not prepared to consider the reality of moving on.

Most seniors that I know cannot wait for June 7. However there are others who are enjoying every moment that they can without considering what will soon be upon them.