Right now, you are reading my senior column. Meaning, I am a senior. And I’m about to graduate. It feels so immensely surreal. But then again, I’m not really a senior. Because I will be a senior again next year. And I will once again be going through the emotions of the year coming to an end, of friends flying off in different directions, of the way I’ve been living coming to an end. It will be the same, and it will be something else entirely.
When I graduate again next year, I will not be wearing a cap and gown, I will not be hearing The Star Spangled Banner, and none of the classmates and teachers that have made this year so special will be in the crowd. It is agonizing to think about, but nonetheless a part of the experience.
When fellow seniors ask about my thoughts on this year ending, I always struggle to explain them. I share the emotions, the sadness and excitement, but my emotions are not formed the same way; they have a different origin, layering, and reason.
I am excited, so very excited, to go back home. For big reasons and for smaller ones. Seeing my family and friends again, playing handball with my team, learning in my old classroom, breathing in the unparalleled hometown air. Eating all the food I’ve missed, watching the trees get covered in snow, speaking my native language.
But oh, all the things I will miss. All the things I am heartbroken for knowing I am leaving. All my newfound friends, my dear host family, the Selma High community, all kinds of international and American foods, free lunch, school spirit, and so much more. I have built a life here, so precious and so wholly my own.
This year has helped me grow in ways I could not have imagined. While signing up for this exchange year I had great hopes of it helping me become more outgoing, independent, and insightful. It has taught me a lot more than I hoped it would, about myself, others, and the world.
I am so thankful for everyone who has crossed my path this year, they have all truly made an impact.
And I am thankful for Selma High School, for providing a safe haven, for the lessons taught, and for the memories made.
I am thankful for Ms. Harris’s class, for improving my work ethic, showing the meaningful values in life, and the real troubles of the world.
I am thankful for Mr. Leedy’s class, for teaching me about America, both important and not so important life skills, and for all the laughs.
I am thankful for Mr. Garcia’s class, for the lectures about my own brain and functioning, letting us be teenagers, and the totally unrelated jokes and stories.
I am thankful for Mrs. Garcia’s class, for the experience with working with others, stepping up when needed, and for letting us be whatever we want to be.
I am thankful for Mrs. Long’s class, for helping me survive math, showing me how teaching should be done, and for making me think in different ways.
I am thankful for Mr. Castle’s class, for challenging the mind, granting independence, and for the friendships gained.
