When I was in middle school, I dreamed of being the valedictorian when my class graduated from high school. It wasn’t necessarily that I wanted to be the person with the highest grades, although that was appealing in itself. What truly attracted me to want to be valedictorian was the fact that the people who hold this title usually give a speech to the graduating class. I was enthralled by the idea of standing in front of the peers I’d gone to school with for 12 years—and those I’d gone to school with for four—and reciting something that I could be remembered for.
When it became clear to me that I wasn’t close enough to being the valedictorian, I decided I still wanted to write a sort of farewell address because I had so many words and pieces of advice that I wanted to express to my fellow graduates, as well as those in younger grades. I realized that my voice still matters, even with the absence of a specific title, and I’m thankful that being part of this newspaper has allowed me to use it by doing what I love most: writing.
The Class of 2025 was arguably the last high school class to experience a type of alteration while being high school students as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that initially struck when we were in seventh grade. By the time freshman year rolled around, we already had a full year of online education under our belts. Our next task was to start high school in a way no other freshman had previously done: wearing masks.
Reflecting back on our freshman year, it was almost dystopian when compared to our other three years of high school. Everyone was afraid of coughing for being labeled with COVID, everyone still kept their distance for a while. It wasn’t until sophomore year when school returned to its pre-COVID normalcy. We made it out of the pandemic with fresh new sights, and we were determined as we continued through the halls of high school.
Then came the infamous junior year. Everyone had a different experience with it, and I don’t like to generalize about any school year, especially not that one. Just as its predecessors, junior year had its fair share of highs and lows. Most importantly, the Class of 2025 was gearing up to be the new seniors that graced EHS.
Senior year of high school began and it still feels incredibly surreal. This year has been filled with many emotions, ranging from nostalgia and bittersweetness to excitement and anxiety about what the future holds for all of us.
With our final quarter of high school right around the corner, I feel I’ve acquired informative knowledge that I would like to share with my peers and those younger than us, who might be starting their high school journeys soon or will be in our place in a matter of months.
Something to remember is that high school does change people, and it will change you. It’s up to you whether you decide to change for the positive or the contrary. It’s cliche, but the four years go by much quicker than anticipated, and you have to enjoy every moment of it. Yes, that includes those classes you might not be fond of, or that schoolwork that gives you a headache every time you look at it. Time truly flies and it becomes more so apparent when you’re a senior, and by then it’s a race against the clock to enjoy the things you once took for granted when you were younger. Don’t do things or take certain classes just because your peers are doing so. Most importantly, always watch out for yourself because you don’t want to lose your essence in the midst of it all.
Many seniors fall in one of two categories: Ready and excited to leave high school behind, or feeling a sense of nostalgia because they realize that this chapter of their lives is coming to an end and they aren’t quite ready to part with it yet. To both groups of seniors I say: Embrace whatever you may be feeling during these moments. We all process things differently, so it’s perfectly viable if you’re counting down the days waiting for the last one, or if you think you’ll sob on graduation day. Everything is valid, because this is the last time we will be in exactly the position we are in now.
I’m a senior now and I’m definitely not the valedictorian, but I’m at peace with where I’m at. My middle school self, however, was disappointed to learn that I’d never have the privilege of publicly giving an eloquent speech for my graduating class. Not to fret, because life works in marvelous ways and I’m finding a solution to what I once considered a minor bump in my high school road. I was able to write this speech, and I was able to have it published. Things have a clever way of working out in a full-circle closure.
We’re all at different stages in our high school career, but we’re all young. We all have different goals and aspirations, but we find common ground and reassurance in knowing our lives have yet to begin. I wish everyone the absolute best in their next endeavors, as well as peace in their accomplishments and strength for their next decisions.
