You know when you’re so entranced by a book that the only thing on your mind is the story? When you’re sitting on your bed, or the couch, or maybe lying on the floor, and it’s silent, except for the crisp rustling of the next page between your fingers?
Although it’s not exact, it’s one way I can describe the act of approaching the end of high school.
I’m eager to turn the page, to say my final goodbye to high school. However, the next page lies in mystery. A new city, classes, roommates, jobs, internships, extracurriculars, the alleged terror of community bathrooms, and the rest of this new lifestyle are mostly unknown to me.
Rather than fear, the unknown fills me with vivid curiosity, and yet I’m not ready to turn the page just yet. I still have to enjoy my last few weeks in high school and my last “free” summer.
Although I’m about to move on, let it be known that my memories will not cease to exist. I will take the places I’ve been, with all its experiences and memories, to learn from them or just look back on for fun.
I’ll remember Calculus class (fifth period). I never imagined I would laugh that much in AP Calculus. Although I can’t remember the Mean Value Theorem, I’ll remember the John Pork lore for sure.
I’ll look back on Selma High, where I learned how impactful educators can be. (I would give individual shoutouts, but this feature would be three single spaced Google Doc pages long.)
My Clarion table, where Tan, Brenda, Jasleen, and I had random conversations that made sixth period go by as if it was only ten minutes long.
That one tree by the band room, subject to the lunchtime shenanigans and quirky phases of my friend group for four years. Thank you for giving me memories to look back on that will make me laugh.
I’ll recall this year, where I got to explore my faith in depth, and through it found who I want to be. I thank God for giving me my beautiful parents, so much to love, and so much to hope for.
Mi hogar, que está donde sea que esté mi familia. Gracias a mis padres, quienes me enseñaron la humildad, honestidad, cómo apreciar, e innumerables memorias y lecciones que llevaré por toda mi vida.
Each year, every place and person I’ve come across gave me an opportunity to learn.
So, as part of my senior “farewell,” I feel obliged to give some advice I’ve learned along this path.
First, surround yourself with people that will make you laugh, feel cared for, and inspire you to challenge yourself.
Second, step out of your comfort zone and do the things you’re interested in, even if it seems scary at first. I can’t tell you how much I wish I had joined an extracurricular as a freshman even if I wasn’t confident I’d do well in it just because I had never done it before. Don’t be afraid of change. In fact, initiate it. You never know, it might turn out to be your favorite thing to do. Learn from not only mistakes, but your experiences, both good and bad, in everything you do.
Third, don’t compare yourself to others. What truly matters is you, your accomplishments, and how much you’ve grown. Don’t let yourself be the one to ruin your sense of pride in your accomplishments, however small others think it may be.
That being said, bittersweet bye, Selma High. I’ll finish this quickly, just as fast as high school went by.
I’ll turn the page, eager for the lessons I’ll learn in Los Angeles.
