To Our Ideal Graduates: You Belong
Each day, I think about the young people who walk through the doors of Ideal Institute of Technology—and the barrier-rich circumstances many of them overcome just to show up. While federal and state lawmakers, local schools, and community organizations work together to build safety nets that support our youth and keep them enrolled, we must ask: Why do so many still slip through the cracks each year?
Where are we failing them? How hard must it be to choose between school and the workforce when life throws constant obstacles in their path? These are not easy choices, and yet many of our students show up—again and again—despite the odds.
A Community of Support
As we turn our attention to today’s graduates, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this journey possible—family members, community leaders, instructors, friends, and fellow students. Your encouragement mattered. Your presence, guidance, and belief in our students made all the difference.
A Celebration of Resilience
Today, we celebrate the young people who:
- Fought to earn their high school equivalency diploma or industry certification
- Stayed focused and committed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
- Remained connected with instructors and kept learning during difficult times
- Are preparing to begin new jobs or continue their education
Our students are now equipped with real-world skills, and they are ready to impress employers who recognize and value their hard work and determination.
To the Youth Still Searching
To those who haven’t yet found their path or figured out where they belong, we want you to know something very important:
“We believe. You belong in our Ideal family.”
Our doors remain open. Your journey is not over. And here at Ideal Institute of Technology, you will always have a place where you are valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
