Graduation season is a time filled with excitement and hope. It’s also a time when young people are listening closely—to speeches, to advice, and to the ways their community speaks about the place they come from.
At Be Here Venango, we often reflect on a simple but powerful truth: our words matter. The way we talk about our community, especially in front of our youth, has a lasting impact. When we say things like “You need to leave to succeed,” we don’t just plant seeds of doubt—we unintentionally paint a picture that there is no path to success, growth, or fulfillment here at home.
The reality is more nuanced—and more hopeful. We do want to encourage young people to explore, to learn from the world, and to chase experiences that stretch and inspire them. But we also encourage and welcome them to consider bringing those lessons and ideas back home—to lead here, invest here, and shape the future of our region.
For some, staying in Venango County simply feels right. It’s where their support systems are, where they see possibilities, and where they want to make a difference. Choosing to stay isn’t about a lack of ambition—it’s about directing that ambition toward a place they love and care about.
Every time we speak about our community, especially to graduates standing on the edge of what’s next, we have a chance to affirm their value and the value of this place.
Our words can open doors—or close them. They can inspire pride—or doubt. They can build up—or discourage.
Let’s be thoughtful with the message we send. Let’s talk about Venango County as the kind of place where young people are wanted, supported, and essential—whether they return in four years or never leave at all.
Because what we say matters. And our young people are listening.
With hope and pride,
Ashley Zaccari
Be Here Venango
