O’Mara congratulates graduates: Keep moving forward and building a better world

Elmira, N.Y., June 26—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today issued a statement of congratulations and encouragement to high school seniors across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.

With many area high schools holding Class of 2020 graduation ceremonies later today and throughout the weekend, O’Mara pointed to the sacrifices this year’s graduating seniors have made so far this year and encouraged them to keep looking forward to a bright future.

O’Mara released the following statement:

“The past several months have forced all of us to confront uncertainty, upheaval and enormous sacrifice in our individual lives and the lives of our communities.  That’s been especially true for our school communities and for this year’s graduating seniors.  For the Class of 2020, senior year will be unforgettable and while so many of us regret that we are not beginning this new decade and the start of the rest of their lives in a traditional way, at the beginning of this weekend of graduations we need to focus on the silver linings that have slowly but surely been emerging out of the chaos: perseverance, responsibility, selflessness, encouragement, priorities and steadfast hope, to name just a few.  I am hopeful at the start of this graduation weekend and the true beginning of this new and promising decade in the lives of our graduates, that somehow, as it should be, celebration will carry these important days forward – a celebration, in whatever way it will take place, of community, family, unity, achievement and, above all, hope for the future.  Congratulations to the Class of 2020!  Please know that there are so many of us behind you and cheering you on every step of the way as you embark on building a better world for all of us.”