
Unfortunately, almost half our classmates are no longer with us and unable to share those memories. They were our friends, our teammates, our confidants, our inspiration, our dance partners and in some cases our sweethearts, and they touched our lives in many ways.
We are all products of both our genes and our environment, and I am proud to declare that those classmates and teachers who touched my life at Gettysburg High School contributed significantly to the person I am today.
Of course, I also believe that our personality and character are also influenced by our relationship with and our trust in our Creator.
In a poem by Regina Wiecek titled Learning to Trust, the author says:
Help me to trustWhen my world falls apart.Guide me through darknessWhen night is upon me,And I will press onWith joy in my heart.
All of our classmates have experienced trauma in their long lives, heartaches like: the death of a loved one, a debilitating illness, financial problems or loneliness. For those of faith when their world fell apart, they turned to the Lord to guide them through the shadows.