One of the honors of being a school board member comes during the final month of the school year. That’s when the board has the privilege of celebrating with our scholars as they embark on the next chapter in their lives. Whether it is an award night or a graduation, the payoff is seeing the growth and learning our students have achieved during their K-12 experience.

Around this time, I am also reminded of our vision – preparing our students for further education, technology, economic change and social realities by helping them think critically, create and innovate, collaborate with others, communicate effectively and care compassionately. If we instill these characteristics in each student, success will follow regardless of the career or educational path they choose.

We have much to celebrate as nearly 30 seniors will become first-generation college students when they start school in the fall as a result of the Advancement Via Individual Determination Program that the district put in place four years ago. We must give big “kudos” to parents, community members and dedicated staff who used evidenced-based strategies to support student learning and helped make higher education real and achievable for these students.

And we know college is not for everyone. The trades pay very well and their workforce needs continue to grow as their employee population retires. Career and Technical Education is extremely important to the Marysville School District. Students who are career and college ready can compete in an ever-changing workforce and gain experience that will put them ahead of the curve.

Our CTE courses offer skills in rigorous, hands-on, project-based learning environments and are embedded within core academics that allow students to complete high school graduation requirements more efficiently. Whether it is a career in aerospace, sports medicine, computer science, robotics or automotive skills, many of our students will be filling the jobs of tomorrow the minute they graduate.

As a school district, we focus on developing critical-thinking skills, creation and innovation, collaboration, communication and compassion because regardless of a student’s career path, those characteristics equal success.

When I see Marysville Getchell students put together an art show and dinner for our senior citizen community or see Marysville-Pilchuck use a new app to communicate with their peers, I see creation and innovation.

And when I see the hearts and minds of our secondary students change after attending an assembly on bullying, I see compassion. Grades and test scores matter, but the true measures of success are the skills gained through a growth mindset. I’m incredibly proud when I walk into a classroom and watch our students demonstrate these important skills, and I’m extremely proud of the staff and administration that make it possible every day. Congratulations class of 2017. Regardless of your career path, you are prepared and capable of making a positive difference in the world.

Chris Nation is a Marysville School District board member.