Looking Back

SCHOOL IS ALMOST OUT!!!

As exciting as those four words may sound...I must admit that I would prefer to be a high-schooler for a couple more months. I'm not saying that I want to keep writing papers, or spend more time studying and completing homework assignments, but if I could stay in school just to be involved in all of my extracurricular activities I would be in favor of school year round!

It's hard to imagine what my life will be like next year. No more getting up early so that I can be at school by 7:15 to make sure student council is on track with everything. No more hectic homerooms of announcements and motions and attendance and pep talks. No more staying after school to finish up some last minute class officer necessities. Instead, I will be completely on my own working with different individuals, with different advisors, and with different goals in mind.

However, I must say that as I look back on my 13 years of public education, I could not be happier. Elementary school was rough for me because I was so shy and had a hard time making friends, but by the end of fourth grade I was performing in the talent show, offering to read to the class, and even had my first boyfriend. Two of my favorite teachers were from my elementary school years. Then I went on to middle school where things took a downhill slope. I refer to those four years as the "awkward years." Everyone was both physically and mentally awkward. I made friends but little did I know that I wouldn't keep those same friends through highschool. The minute I became a freshman I knew that I wanted to begin defining myself as an individual. Just like most freshmen, I became more independent and got myself involved with as many activities as I could. I joined the girls' tennis team, sang in the choir, performed in the school musical, danced with the showchoir, became a leader within my class as class Historian, and was elected by my class as a representative in student council. As my 2 million minutes in highschool ticked away I made many choices. I went from class Historian to class Vice President, I took on the position of choreographer for the musical and showchoir, and I quit the tennis team so that I could fulfill my duties as Student Council President. However, I also made tough choices about dating, friendships, which classes to take, how hard I was going to work in those classes, and how I was going to treat those around me. I made it my responsibility to talk to as many of my peers as possible so that when I graduated I couldn't say that I didn't know everybody. Well let me say, as I look forward to graduation this week I can honestly say that I atleast recognize all 318 of my classmates. It just makes the whole experience so much more meaningful knowing that I am not just graduating as myself but I am graduating as a part of the class of 2008!

I look forward to a new beginning but I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and experiences I had through elementary school, middle school, and especially high school!