Today and Saturday, graduates at most local high schools will be getting their diplomas.

Most members of the Class of 2007 arrived on the scene in 1989, along with the following pop-culture touchstones:

The first "Batman" movie, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as the caped crusader and Jack Nicholson as the Joker;

The TV game show "American Gladiators";

The syndicated hit "Baywatch" (for our younger readers, that’s the show Pamela Anderson spoofs in the DirecTV commercials);

The sitcom "Saved by the Bell," which some in this year’s graduating class might still enjoy;

The earthquake that disrupted that year’s World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics for 10 days. The A’s swept the series, winning in four games;

An all-Canadian Stanley Cup in which the Calgary Flames beat the Montreal Canadiens;

Phil Jackson’s first year as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, starring Michael Jordan, who led the NBA in scoring that season.

These moments have largely turned into nostalgia and trivia, but the children born that year have turned into much more: newly minted adults, for the most part, who are on the brink of one of the biggest and most-exciting changes in their lives.

To this year’s graduates, congratulations on sticking it out, not giving up despite all the academic and social pressures of high school.

There’s pressure and fear from the outside world, too: You were still in middle school when 9/11 happened, and the war in Iraq has lasted your entire high school career.

But, as hard as it may be, don’t be afraid of what dangers are out there. Resolve to make this world a more-peaceful place by befriending people who are different than you and helping those in need. Pay attention to the news and register to vote _ there’s a presidential election next year, and your voice needs to be heard.

As you go off to college, the workforce, overseas study or something else, remember the values your parents and others taught you.

This is a time to explore, experiment and ask questions, but when you do, be true to yourself, and think of your past and your future, not just the present.

Be independent. It’s good to stay in touch with high school friends and come back to visit, but you also need to break away a little bit, meet new people and get connected, wherever you find yourself.

Enjoy your graduation ceremonies and parties, and remember to thank your families, teachers and other influential adults for what they’ve done for you.

We hope that no matter where life takes you, you won’t just settle for trivia, but will make the most of it in the decades to come.