Senior Series: Words of Wisdom for the Class of 2026
- 22 hours ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
With graduation happening today, the Class of 2026 stands on the edge of a brand-new chapter filled with excitement, opportunity, uncertainty, and growth.
Throughout their time at Burns Sci Tech, our students have been surrounded by teachers, staff, coaches, and mentors who have encouraged them, supported them, and helped push them toward their goals. As our seniors prepare to walk across the stage and begin their next journey, we asked members of our Burns family to share words of wisdom, encouragement, and advice to help inspire them along the way. These messages are meant to remind our students to keep believing in themselves, continue pushing forward through challenges, and never stop striving to become the best version of themselves.
If I could go back and tell my high school self one thing before stepping into adulthood, it would be this: you do not have to have your whole life figured out right now. So many of us graduate thinking we need a perfect plan, but the truth is that life changes, people change, and your dreams will grow with you. Some of the best opportunities and relationships will come from moments you never planned for. Do not be afraid to fail, to change directions, or to start over. The people who succeed are not the ones who never struggle; they are the ones who keep going anyway. Learn to ask for help, learn to give yourself grace, and remember that YOUR WORTH IS NOT TIED TO A GRADE, A JOB TITLE, OR HOW QUICKLY YOU ACHIEVE SOMETHING!
Also, hold on to your people. The older you get, the more you realize how important genuine relationships are. Call your family. Make time for your friends. Be kind to others because everyone is fighting battles you cannot see.
And finally, do not rush through life trying to get to the “next thing.” One day, you will miss the little moments you are living right now. Be present, be grateful, and trust yourself more than you think you should. You are capable of so much more than you realize right now!!
Love you all and GO EALGES!! ~Ms. Grove
One thing I wish I had learned earlier is how much good communication starts with listening, not talking. When someone shared something with me in my younger years, my first instinct was to jump in with my own story to explain how I relate or offer advice. I thought it was my way of showing that I understood how they felt and helped make a connection, but often they felt I wasn't listening or that I was making it about me.
Most of the time, people simply want to feel heard and understood. I've learned that being a good listener means paying attention, asking thoughtful questions, and giving people space to share their experiences. When you do that, you gain a deeper understanding of who they are, what matters to them, and what they may be going through. Strong relationships in friendships, family, school, and future careers are built on that kind of understanding. It shows the person that you are engaged and care about what they have to say.
As you graduate and move into new stages of life, remember that communication is not just about knowing what to say; it is about making people feel valued, respected, and heard. The ability to truly listen will help you connect with others far more than always having the right advice or the perfect response. ~Ms. Tudeen
Enjoy your young life! It doesn't last forever. ~Ms. Bender
Starting with your first paycheck, put at least $2 into savings and don't touch it, ever! Forget about it completely! When you are my age, you will have a nice little nest egg. As you get a raise or a better job, increase how much goes in, automatically.
Find out what makes you happy to get out of bed. Then find a job where they pay you to do it. You may never be rich, but you will be happy.
Get outside every day just to breathe and enjoy nature. It centers you in this fast and crazy world. ~Ms. Raquet
A word to the wise from someone who lived these feelings.
Stop comparing where you are to where everyone else is going. God's timing is perfect for your life. You just have to trust that something better is coming when the time is right for you. Sometimes you need to grow more through experiences before those things can come-be patient.
It's also okay to not know what to do. After all, it is your first time living. Give yourself some grace, spend time outside in nature, eat well, and don't forget that sleep is important.
You're going to do great things.
I believe in you, ~Ms. Hutchinson
Very few people have it all figured out at 17 or 18. Even the ones who seem like they do may still end up taking completely different paths.
There are endless paths to happiness and success. You will grow. Your priorities can shift. Your dreams may evolve.
Changing your mind is not failure. It means you’re paying attention to who you are and who you are becoming. Be brave enough to pivot when something no longer fits. Be confident enough not to measure your life against someone else’s.
And remember this: you are never just one thing. The world may ask you to choose a label, a title, a lane, but you are far more complex and interesting than that. You can be a teacher and a baker. A lineman and a pianist. An engineer and a soccer player. A mom and an entrepreneur. A business owner and an artist. The things that make you you may never fit neatly into one box.
Don't worry about whether you have the perfect plan. Instead, my advice is to build a life that feels meaningful, sustainable, and authentically yours; one decision at a time.
You are all incredibly capable and far more prepared for this next chapter than you may realize. The world does not need you to fit into one box; it needs the unique combination of talents, passions, and perspectives that only you can bring. Trust yourselves. ~Ms. Robinson
Graduates, as you move forward, remember that success is not built on perfection. Some of the greatest growth in life comes from the moments where mistakes are made, lessons are learned, and challenges force you to adapt. Learning new things can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and even messy at times, but those moments are often where the most meaningful growth happens.
Embrace accountability, learn from setbacks, and never be afraid to admit when something did not go as planned. The ability to persevere, push through difficulties, and continue growing is what truly builds strength and character. Mistakes do not define you; how you respond to them does. ~Coach Latham
My advice is to take calculated risks, don’t be afraid to try something new, go on adventures, and explore. There is an entire world out there to be seen.
As Walt Disney once said:
"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Congratulations! ~ Ms. Padgett
Never let pride stop you from using the support systems that help you succeed. The strongest people are not the ones who do everything alone; they are the ones who know how to ask for help, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Class of 2026, be proud of your growth, your resilience, and everything you’ve overcome to get here!
Believing in you always. ~Ms. Campbell
Congratulations to everyone in the Class of 2026. Wherever life takes you next, stay humble, work hard, trust God, and never forget how far you have already come.
Last year, I had the privilege of having Faith Panich as my TA. Her gentle spirit and kind words quickly won the children’s hearts. Faith notices the needs of others and responds without hesitation, always ready with a helping hand. She is observant, dedicated, compassionate, and consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and a genuine commitment to serving our community. I am so proud of her and confident she will succeed in whatever she chooses.
Congratulations on this wonderful achievement, Faith. I pray you continue to grow in grace and wisdom, and that God guides each stepof your journey. Know that we are all rooting for you and believe in the bright future ahead of you. Best wishes as you follow your dreams. May every opportunity bring you closer to the goals you’ve set! ~Ms. Wood
To Levie Troupe:
I’m so grateful to have watched you grow from a quiet kindergarten student into the confident young man you are today. You have always looked out for others, stood up for what you believe in, and supported your family and friends through life’s challenges. Stay true to yourself and believe in your dreams! I wish you a bright new beginning filled with exciting opportunities. Best wishes, ~ Ms. Wood
Seniors,
Congratulations, we are all so proud of you and the hard work you have put in over the years to get to this point. We wish you all the luck in the world for the bright futures ahead of you. As you get ready to start this next chapter of your lives, I wanted to send you off with some advice.
Be brave – try new things, go new places, meet new people, ask for help when you need it. There are so many new and exciting things out there for you – you just have to try.
Be kind – to others, even when no one is watching, and to yourself when things don’t go exactly as you thought they would. Sometimes you just need a break, then you can try again when you feel ready.
Be yourself – you are on your timeline, living your life the way you are meant to. Don’t compare yourself to others because they’re not you. You got yourself to this point through your determination, resilience, and courage. You are one of a kind, and that should be celebrated.
We couldn’t be prouder! Again, congratulations, Class of 2026! You did it! ~Ms. Para
Words From Our Board Members
I was honored when asked to provide words of wisdom and advice for our Burns Sci-Tech graduating class of 2026. I spent time pondering, reflecting, and searching for the very best advice that I could give to a group of talented young men and women just beginning their lives outside of high school.
After many revisions, I finally realized there are no lessons I can provide that haven’t already been taught by the teachers at Burns. Whether you’re a legacy student who has attended their entire school career at Burns or a recent transfer to our school, your teachers, administrators, and staff members have already provided everything you need to know to continue your professional and educational journeys. So rather than new wisdom, I wanted to take a moment to reinforce a core value that you have seen time and time again in the actions of our very own Burns faculty members: servant leadership!
The idea is simple: put others before self. This means being there to support those in your team, whether it’s your cohort in a class, a professional group, or even members of your own social circle. Helping others achieve their own goals elevates you. You will have very long days and nights if you’re busy helping others, but it will be worth it! Be sure to help others shine, and always give credit where credit is due. Give your time freely to others and always be willing to help fill the needs of those around you. It can be difficult sometimes, but stand up for others, especially those who cannot stand up for themselves. By serving others, you’ll become a strong leader and someone that people will want to follow; it just takes time and consistency.
For those who know of Fred Rogers from “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood,”, you know he, too, believed in servant leadership even when it was difficult. As a student of Rollins College in Winter Park, he was inspired by an inscription that is engraved in one of the halls on campus, and even kept a small copy in his wallet for many years. “Life Is For Service”. So to the graduating class of 2026, I sincerely hope you follow the examples of your teachers and Mr. Rogers alike and live a fruitful life of service to others! Sincerely, ~Richard Paczkowski
"How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver."
Proverbs 16:16
Not my words, but definitely words of sound advice. Congratulations, Class of 2026 ~Suzanne Jarrell
The best and most fulfilling qualities about who you were created to be will continue to emerge over the next few years. Be patient with yourself. Embrace every victory and every mistake. They both teach deeply valuable lessons. Don’t be in a hurry to move through this season.
Consider the idea of being exactly where your feet currently are and taking in the blessings of each moment. When the pressure and anxiety to have everything figured out overwhelm your system, take a deep breath and reflect with gratitude for this very moment. It is in these moments that you can experience whispers of the unique value that you bring to every room you enter. Live in peace. Lead with purpose. Blessings ~Jamie Sulle
Congratulations, Class of 2026. On behalf of the entire Burns Sci-Tech community, we are proud of you, we believe in you, and we cannot wait to see how high you soar!
