Forty-one Port Aransas High School seniors will walk across a stage tomorrow night and receive their diplomas.

It's a day they and their families have looked forward to with excitement and, perhaps, some trepidation. Graduation is a parting of ways from family, long-time friends and a comfortable routine that has run the course of 12 or 13 years. What is ahead, whether the students are college- or work-bound, is unknown. That's exciting and scary.

But before the first step toward their new lives is taken, there is celebration.

Many will mark this milestone at Project Graduation, an alcohol- and chemical-free lockin party that parents of seniors and juniors have worked on all year. There may be other parties Friday night, and there may be more parties throughout the summer.

However long the celebration lasts, seniors should keep in mind that graduation is a beginning, not an end, thus the name of the ceremony commemorating graduation: Commencement.

The base word of which is "begin".

So seniors, celebrate, but celebrate wisely so that you can begin the exciting journey that lies ahead of you.

Be smart, and be safe.

--mhj