True spring has arrived in the Upper Peninsula, with trees starting to bud and birds of all sorts singing songs of joy as the sun rises. The arrival of spring means many things, including that graduation season is fast approaching.

It has been another school year of challenges for the traditional education system with the COVID-19 pandemic somewhat tamed but not yet vanquished to the degree that we can totally let down our guard.

Teachers and other school staff continue to be amazing performers in this convoluted world, doing their best to make sure our children are not short-changed by the pandemic.

Parents, too, have been doing their level best to be sure their kids keep up with their school work whether classes are taking place remotely or in the face-to-face style of years prior.

As commencement ceremonies will be taking place in the coming weeks, we hope that the efforts of all sides — especially the young women and men receiving their diplomas — are recognized and recorded to preserve this most interesting time in history for coming generations to study.

We fervently wish, too, that this coming autumn, our school systems get back to “normal” or the new normal that the coronavirus has wrought.

Best wishes to the Class of 2021 as they move on to the next chapter in their lives. You have shown you are resilient and determined.

My goodness, the stories you will have to share with your grandchildren in what we hope will be a pandemic-free future.