Last week was highlighted by high school graduations all over Dallas County, as hundreds of students marched across a stage and were handed a well-deserved diploma

Many of those same smiling faces will now venture off to colleges around the state, eager to learn more in their career of choice. Actually, many of them probably have no clue what they want to do right now, but college is first about figuring out what you don’t want to do.

Then, it’s easier to focus in on the subjects you enjoy.

Many others will go into a technical field or won’t go to college. There’s nothing wrong with that option, as college isn’t for everyone.

Either way — college or no college — many of those same graduates will stay in Selma or move back to the Queen City later in life. Our challenge to those young adults is to find a way to make a positive impact in our city.

Sadly, many of the shootings and crimes in Selma involve those in that generation. Although comparing many of the graduates to those wrongdoers is like preaching to the choir, it’s likely the younger generation that is going to be able to enact change and slow the crime rate in that age group.

People on the outside like to say Selma is void of young people, but that’s hardly the case.

However, what we need in Selma is more young leaders.

It’s difficult for our city’s current decision makers, which are from an entirely different generation of ideas and philosophies, to connect with today’s youth.

It’s not like they haven’t tried. Mayor George Evans became so fed up with all of the killings in his city that he started the “No More” campaign in hopes of reminding everyone how many lives have been lost due to senseless shootings.

That’s just one example. Groups have organized community events such as the Alabama Chili Cookoff or the upcoming Unity in the Community to bring everyone together for fun-filled days. There are countless others positively impacting Selma too.

The point is, Selma has a lot of people and groups doing great things and trying to steer the city in the right direction. However, there can never be too many young, enthusiastic minds.

At the end of the day, it’s fairly simple. Last week’s graduates are at a crossroads in their life. As young adults, they can choose the path they want to go and their future will be whatever they make it.  The future of Selma is the same.

The year 2015 has been historic for many reasons, but what does the future hold?

Congratulations to the class of 2015. We wish you luck as you venture off to chase your dreams, but hope you’ll find a way to give back to the city that molded you into the people you are today.