We did it

Well, today was the big day. We did it. Diplomas in hand, caps in the air. The Class of 2014 has achieved its long-awaited goal. Fifty-six seniors. Fifty-six graduates.

Today was bittersweet.

Driving into the parking lot before graduation, I thought to myself how this would be the last time all these familiar cars would be together in one lot. I saw the mint blue Mazda, the silver Jeep, the little Chevy, and the thought was almost sad. There'd been so many mornings of being late for school and trying to find a single open spot in the good lot among the familiar vehicles. 

Making my way inside the building, I donned my cap and gown with my fellow classmates; there was a rush of excitement--exchanging pictures and memories, brushing up harmonies to the F-R-I-E-N-D-S theme song, and frantically trying to frame our caps perfectly around our hair.

We lined up and headed down to the Reese Center, a sense of nostalgia filling the air as we spent our last collective moments together in the halls of the school we called home. The emotions welled up as the processional music repetitively resounded throughout the gymnasium. Two by two and three by three we made our way to the front, as the ceremony began.

Throughout the speeches, musical performances, and picture slideshow, I couldn't prevent a few tears from welling up in my eyes. Four, six, thirteen years is a long time to spend with the same group of people. This group, a pseudo family of sorts, has seen one another through the good times and bad, the tests, the homework, the practices, games, and championships, the musicals, the concerts, the laughter, and the tears. We've played together, learned together, and grown together.

Over the past several months, I've come to appreciate my senior class in ways I hadn't thought possible until now. It's as though as we all realized time was running out, we clung to the minimal time we had left. Despite our differences, we came together as one and learned to appreciate the gift of friendship that has been handed to us. I only wish our eyes would have been open sooner. 

Unfortunately, after graduation we are all pulled in various directions; it is my prayer that we won't let go of the memories, the valuable lessons we've learned, the friendships we've forged, and the sentiment we've bottled up inside, the sentiment that we'll fondly recall when we look upon our high school days; I hope that no matter where life takes us or where we end up, when we return to this place, we may always call it home. 

To my classmates, thank you for a memorable senior year, a wonderful time of high school, and for all the memories, laughs, and good times we've had. I will truly cherish them all. Best of luck in the coming years… Let us never forget who we are, Whose we are, and where we came from. 

Senior sentiments

It's crazy how time flies. No matter how hard I try to slow down and enjoy each moment, time continues to slip right on by like sand in a sieve. But nonetheless, my heart is full (and so is my schedule, which explains the lack of recent entries) and needs to spill for a bit, so here goes…

My senior year of high school is almost over. It's hitting me hard and fast. I have a mere 16 days left in this familiar place with these people I've known for years. And it's quite bittersweet. I am so eagerly awaiting May 25th, when I can receive my diploma, toss my cap, and move on to the next chapter in my life.

But I'm also trying to hang on to every last minute and memory that I possibly can.

I've only recently come to realize that I've taken much too much for granted throughout high school. It's sad that I've waited until my senior year to open my eyes to the opportunities and blessings all around me, things that have been there all along but have only become evident to me as of late. 

Unfortunately, I feel like I'm only just now truly getting to know my classmates. Which is sad, because I've spent the past six years with them all (and some I've been with for thirteen long years!). I'm just beginning to see what good friends I've found in some of these people I've shared halls, classrooms, lockers, and lunches with. It's as though there's an invisible bond pulling us from our separate ways despite our differences, and allowing us to embrace the last minute opportunity to really get to see one another for who we are, putting aside all previously harbored judgments or differences. In addition, I'm very thankful for the wonderful friends I've been getting to know even better recently.

The past few months have been full of monumental (and sometimes sentimental) lasts: the last home basketball game I'll get to observe from the student section, my final musical performance from the auditorium stage, my last opening day Strike Out Cancer softball game, my final season as a Hawk, senior prom... 

But it's exciting to think about all the firsts I'm about to experience, and the new memories, places, and faces that will come along with it. I can't wait to see all that God has in store for me during the next chapter of my life.

In the meantime, as my graduation date draws nearer, I'm simply trying to enjoy every day--every hour of studying for the calculus exam, planning my graduation party, scheming up ornery office shenanigans, spending my final days in the halls of my high school home with my classmates. 

As I look back on my time in high school, the things I'm gonna miss the most are the times with the people I've gotten to know over the years. I'm gonna miss being crazy busy in the office, yet making time to be ornery and think up silly pranks to keep things exciting. I'm gonna miss those unproductive days of senior bonding in yearbook class, funny lunch table conversations, frustrating calculus parties, talks with my favorite teachers, spontaneous movie nights, ridiculous conversations sparking contagious laughter in AP English, NHS lunch meetings, being insanely overwhelmed with lists upon lists of things that need done, but nevertheless enjoying it all. 

They always say your senior year flies by; I always believed the cliche warning, but little did I know just how quickly it slips by until I experienced it for myself. My advice to the underclassmen would be this: make the most of your time in high school; get involved; don't stress over little things or care what other people think; really get to know your classmates; be kind to everyone, you never know how you might be impacting those around you; and most of all, sit back and enjoy the ride.