I am officially no longer in high school. The day that I have waited for my entire school career has come and gone. I have received my diploma and graduated with honors.

The reality of it all probably hasn't hit me yet. Sure, I was there, and I walked across the stage and received my coveted diploma, but did that really make me ready to leave my nest and fly away?

But as I sat and listened to the many people who felt compelled to give the graduating class of 2005 their last words of advice, I thought that perhaps I was ready.

Notre Dame did a great job preparing me for the next step in my education. And now that school is over and most people my age are devoting most of their free time to jobs so they can have money in college, it seems I am ready for new people and new surroundings.

For the new graduate, most of you wants to leave and become free, but there is just that much of you, if not more, that likes the way things have been.

These emotions are not new. We have been dealing with the whats and ifs of college life since the beginning of our senior year.

Now that we have achieved what we have been working for, are we now ready to take the journey that lies in front of us?

I believe we are. I believe we can do it.

I don't know how many times in the last week we have been told that we are the future. We are going to change the world. And, if everyone puts their mind to it, I believe we can. Our generation will shape the future, and our failure or success shall be no man's doing but our own. We can clear any obstacle before us, or we can be lost in the maze.

Win or lose, it's only us -- we hold the key to our destiny.

Amber Karnes is a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School and will attend Webster University in the fall.