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Palo Alto Online

Moving on up

For some, graduation marks an ending. To others it's just the beginning.

Last week, hundreds of Palo Alto and Stanford students took part in a symbolic rite of passage, culminating years of hard work, milestones, sorrow, disappointment and personal growth. As wide-eyed kindergarteners, many of today's graduating high school students first stepped into a classroom under similar conditions that exist today. Education is under the knife and the country is again embroiled in the Middle East.

Despite these striking similarities, much has changed. The economy blossomed, then wilted. Communication has become less personal, but more instant. And teen pressure has hit seemingly epic proportions.

For Stanford's graduates, this new world poses many challenges. It's strikingly different than when they entered college four years ago at the height of the technology revolution Yet, their optimism is unflagging and their determination encouraging.

Each and every graduate will undoubtedly look upon the past four years with nostalgia, but are nevertheless eager to begin the next chapter of their lives.

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