Our Viewpoint

This week, the first Sanders County seniors will become graduates of the Class of 2021. When we create our graduation supplement each year, it's amazing to read the future plans for each of the students. Though they are all members of small communities in northwest Montana, they all have different aspirations.

When I was graduating, I said I wanted to major in journalism and computer science. I followed through on the journalism. As I look back, I'm not sure where the computer science piece came from. Maybe it was my love of MacGyver.

For those young adults graduating this month, you'll experience so many changes in the next few years as you find your independence and step out of your comfort zones.

Our Ledger staff has a few words of wisdom. We range in age from staff members in their 20s to staff members in their 60s, with a ranch of life experiences.

My advice for you, graduates, is to be open. Life doesn't always go according to our plan. Sometimes those bumps in the road end up being the best things in life. — Annie Wooden

Miriah Kardelis: Never become so set on what you think you should be doing at a certain age, and never get so busy at making a living that you forget to make a life.

John Dowd: Work hard, but chase the happiness in life. Prioritize time with family and friends, because in the end those are the moments that will mean the most. As life goes by, and careers and obligations pile up, It becomes easy to get lost in the next promotion or getting a raise. A company can last 200 years, but a person will only be in your life for a short time. Those precious moments with them are the ones that make life worth living in the first place.

Sara Czerwinski: Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. Go on some adventures & try new things!

Shana Neesvig: Wake up every morning and smile. Go to bed every night feeling grateful.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021. We hope to be writing about your successes in the years to come.