(The following was offered by Powhatan Fire and EMS Chief Rick Bucher as an answer to last week’s Question of the Week, in which we asked residents what advice they would offer those PHS students getting ready to graduate.)

Your reputation as an adult begins today. Your work ethic, driving record and criminal history will surface at every job interview.

Your reputation is something that you own, you build it, and you take it with you when you leave a job. Value it, don’t do anything to tarnish it.

Your reputation is everything.

Do more than is expected of you at work; the world has enough minimum achievers.

Don’t take anything for granted, especially your family, your health, clean water and air, and your salvation.

Honor your mother and father for life.

Make recycling your practice. You have heard the controversy over landfills, you will hear them again. The less trash we create, the fewer we will need. Fight them now, not later.
It is easy to make friends in school; if you are going to college you will meet new friends.

Keep in touch with old friends, use Facebook and call them.

You can never have too many friends.

Your friends don’t have to be your own age; there are many Powhatan senior citizens that need friends.

Friends help to support you professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. You can find them at church, work or volunteering with fire and EMS or some other agency.
Be sure to be friends with your neighbors.

Remember friendship is a two way street, it is not just what you get, but what you give.

Be your brother and sister’s keeper. Read a variety of books including the Bible, be a lifelong learner.

Keep up with the news; realize that there are two sides to every story. Get both sides before you reach a conclusion.

Don’t be afraid to admit when you are wrong.

Learn to speak in public.

Leave the places you live work and play better than you found them.

Make a contribution to your community.

Thank your teachers, they work for more than just a paycheck, they are investing their lives in you.
Give them a good return on their investment.

My Point of View welcomes submissions that pertain to life and issues in Powhatan County. The views expressed in the column are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the editorial views of the staff of Powhatan Today.