The Miss-Lou is draped in symbolism this time of year.

Caps, gowns, tassels and pieces of paper by themselves mean very little. But combine the items, and everyone understands the significance.

Too many people view graduation as a day of individual achievement, though. Instead, our community should be thinking beyond the symbols you can touch and more about the symbolism we can’t feel or see.

Concordia Parish graduates walked across a stage last week. Natchez graduates will join them over the next two weeks. Both groups represent our future.

While these students celebrated their senior year, leaders across the community took steps that, we hope, may promise today’s graduates a better tomorrow — at home.

Economic development announcements, continued regionalism efforts and a willingness to work together for good may provide a reason for the class of 2012 to come back home in a few years.

More work is needed, but if the adults making decisions and investing time and energy remember the faces of the class of 2012, it will be easier to keep our collective eye on the goal.

Congratulations, graduates. You are our future, and we want to see you back here again.