13 years ago, County Road Elementary School gave me an ID that defined me for my entire academic career. The first four numbers were 2024. That year felt unfathomable, I would be all grown up, in a world unrecognizable to my seven-year-old self. 

As I am picturing the final days of my senior year I still find it hard to believe that I am graduating. It is scary to think that when I meet new people they will not be from my town, they won’t know my childhood friends or the teachers that impacted many aspects of who I am. How could it be that when I graduate the people I have grown up with will scatter the country? The day I walk across the stage I will no longer have a net catching me when I fall that I have become accustomed to at NVD. That is scary. 

What did I learn from being in high school? If I could give any advice to incoming freshmen what would it be? If I am being honest, high school did not feel like a new beginning but another building block in my life. I definitely have learned and grown but I don’t feel different. I think you take each year, each day, as it is, and hope that tomorrow will be a little better. 

If I had one phrase to describe my high school experience it would be I survived. This seems a little bit pessimistic but it’s the truth. People don’t realize the dedication and exhausting nature of being a high school student. High school students are expected to act like an adult, weave through complex social situations with grace, and study for SATs, while also maintaining perfect grades, and a wide range of clubs, sports, and activities. So yes, I am glad high school is over. I am glad that my hard work has led me to the next stage of my life.

I can’t say that my high school experience is one that all my peers can relate to. Each person would probably give you a different description of high school. The cool thing is, we will all walk across the stage and graduate with the singular name of the class of 2024.