Advice To Graduates

IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN IT SEEMS that everyone I know has a child graduating from school at some level. My great-nephew Harrison has completed preschool; next fall, hell have to knuckle down to business in kindergarten. For my grandson John, it's on to middle school come September Meanwhile, a legion of offspring of my friends and colleagues—Andy, David, Chris, Sara, and Mary Rose—are heading off to college. I'm delighted to note that David wants to major in chemistry, and Chris is considering mathematics or physics —which is not to say that any other field of study is less satisfying, just that I'm happy that some of the best and the brightest high school graduates are choosing science. Meanwhile, Matt, the son of my oldest friend, graduated from college last month and this summer will fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a Navy Seal. My congratulations go to all of these young folks! Closer ...