This month we salute the Class of 2018 — these young men and women from Central Iowa who have worked dilligently, excelled academically and have showcased their talents in a variety of ways that we can all be proud of.

As they prepare to embark on a new adventure, I offer the following from lyricist Mindi Dickstein:

Astonishing

There’s a life

That I am meant to lead

A life like nothing

I have known

I can feel it

And it’s far from here

I’ve got to find

it on my own

Even now I feel its heat upon my skin.

A life of passion that pulls me from within,

A life that I am

making to begin.

There must be somewhere

I can be

Astonishing

Astonishing

I’ll find my way

I’ll find it far away

I’ll find it in the unexpected

and unknown

I’ll find my life

in my own way

Today

Here I go

And there’s no turning back

My great adventure

has begun

I may be small

But I’ve got giant plans

To shine as greatly

as the sun

I will blaze until I find my time and place

I will be fearless,

Surrendering

modesty and grace

I will not disappear

without a trace

I’ll shout and start a riot

Be anything but quiet

Christopher Columbus

I’ll be Astonishing

Astonishing

Astonishing

At Last

——

Contact Jeff Hutton at 641-753-6611 or jhutton@timesrepublican.com