LOXLEY, Ala. — “The Future’s So Bright I Have to Wear Shades”…

That song from the 80’s Band TimbukThree Three was the sentiment as graduates from Robertsdale High School and Central Christian School in Robertsdale were honored for their outstanding achievements at the 2011 Academic Excellence Banquet on Thursday evening at the Loxley Civic Center.

An annual event put on by the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, graduates and their families are treated to dinner and receive certificates and awards from their principals.

This year’s presenting sponsor was South Baldwin Regional Medical Center (Foley), Diamond Sponsors were Baldwin EMC and Riviera Utilities, Sliver Sponsors were Franklin Primary Health Center, IED, Inc. and the Town of Silverhill. Special thanks also goes to Greer’s Robertsdale Market, magnolia Blossom Cafe, Olive Garden and Town of Loxley.

“The foundation for excellence starts at home as parents prepare their children for success and continues throughout school with their teachers. I see a bright future with our kids and just like in business and life, everything revolves around relationships and I encourage you not to focus on the fame and fortune in today’s world. Instead, enjoy your life and live each day to the fullest and take advantage of all the opportunities you are given. Remember Jeremiah 29:11 and know that God has a plan for each of your lives,” said Steve Brooks, CBCC Chairman, in his opening remarks.

Central Christian Principal Tim Shelton handed out awards to twelve graduates: Megan Budlong, Justine Crotts, Keuler Gates, Ashley Giddens, Marissa Miller, Erick Roberson, Tiffany Rowan, Roberts Sanders, Rachel Shelton, Stephen Tindal, Clayton Whitehurst, Brittany Wilson.

Robertsdale High School Principal Theresa Bryant awarded 30 seniors: Kayla Alexnander, Alicia Ard, Sarah Barnhill, Jason Bell, LeighAnn Darby, Kinsey Eiland, Dillon Everett, Brooke Fisher, Alexis (Princess) Fore, Rachel Frolik, Ashley Givens, ShaMaya Stiots, Gabrielle Kendrick, Kasey Kendrick, Taylor Langham, Kimberly Merchant, Shelby Neth, Susan Pacey, Caitlin Potts, Bryant Ramey, Carissa Redd, Alicia Ryan, Cynthia Salyers, Raven Simpson, Savannah Morgan, Kameron Strickland, Katie Strickland, Jessica Stuart, Amber Waitcus, Christopher Wilks.

Robertsdale native Harry C. White, Public Affairs Officer for the Pensacola Naval Air Station since 1991, graduated from RHS in 1961 and gave the graduates some words of wisdom for their journey.

“I am honored to be here and so glad to be back among friends from Robertsdale. I grew up on a farm and during my high school career, America was coming into the age of technology and I remember the launching of the Russian satellite Sputnik in 1957. I thought to myself, ‘there are some major changes going on here’ and the changes are still gong on today. Back then we didn’t have foreign markets or an energy crisis and could afford to take long vacations in our big cars or land yachts, as I called them. Things have changed,” explained White.

Joining the Air Force in 1963 and serving 21 years gave White lots of unique opportunities and when he retired in 1984, he joined the CBCC as the Executive Vice President and Industrial Development Specialist. In 1989, he became the Director of Media Relations for Pensacola NAS and in 1991 assumed the role of Public Affairs Officer. He also holds a B.A. in Management from Oklahoma City University and certificates in Economic and Industrial development from Auburn University and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Turning the simple into the extraordinary was commonplace 40 years ago, White said, but now with the advent of the internet, facebook, twitter and you tube, things have gotten complicated and we are dealing with a global economy and trading goods with countries we once considered our enemies.

“The challenges of our society are now up to you to solve and my question to you is ‘How should you do it ?’. We now have new obstacles all around us. My generation’s challenge was to put a man on the moon. Yours is to put a man on Mars. We have a new world and a new frontier full of opportunities and your job is to ask yourself, ‘what am I going ot do about it.?’. You are the future. Attack it and keep moving forward. You have the all the tools to make it happen,” White commented.

Closing out the evening, Chris Klinger, CBCC Education Committee Chair, left the graduates with five keys for life. “You have everything you need to succeed in life right now. You just have to decide how to best use it.”

-Accept yourself along with your strengths and weaknesses

-Be conscious and pay attention to the here and now

-Be assertive/aggressive and go after what you want to accomplish in life

-Be responsible and purposeful in everything you do

-Live with integrity and keep your commitments

“Motivate and encourage who you can everyday and decide what it is you want out of your daily life, “ Klinger said.