High school, what a strange time in one's life. It was the best of days and it was the worst of days. I dreaded my uniform and started counting down the days to graduation the second I found out the date, but that doesn't mean high school never did anything for me. I learned a lot in my four (actually six #CatholicSchool, but still) years as a high schooler. I also learned that no matter how much I hated getting up in the mornings, I have a lot to thank my high school for.

1. For starting every day off with prayer, because we all needed it, even if we did complain about standing for 5 minutes.

2. Giving me faculty, staff, and coaches who would teach me more about life than any textbook ever could.

3. Allowing me to receive a good education, because honestly, it was better than we thought it was.

4. Preparing me for the disappointment that is college cafeteria food. I'd gladly go back to those hot lunches over whatever they serve in "The Fresh."

5. Giving me a close-knit community. We may not have all always gotten along, but our school came together when it was important.

6. Thank you for the endless amounts of Touched by an Angel.When you walk down the road...

7. Thanks for the years we had with the days ending with "Who Let the Dogs Out."

8. For my Catholic education. No matter how hard college gets, I know that my God is always there.

9. For giving me the opportunities I needed to figure out my future. From Youth Leg to Mock Trial and much more, without the support of my high school, it would've taken me so much longer to figure out what I wanted to do.

10. For having Mass and Adoration. I may have complained about the blazer and tie, but those were my moments of peace in my crazy life.

11. For pushing me to do great things. Whether it was because of great teachers or just because of the sheer fact I wanted out so bad, high school pushed me to do my best and be successful.

12. Giving me another place to call home. We were a dysfunctional family to say the least, but we were a family.

13. For helping my find my people. Whether it was reconnecting with people from the past, bringing me closer with elementary friends, or just giving me new people in general. I found some of the best people in high school.

14. For my graduating class. We got the short end of the stick a lot, but we made the best of it. We took our stand and we made our jokes and we got closer. High school may have driven us crazy, but looking back it made us better.

I complained a lot about high school and I was so glad to walk across that stage, but looking back now, it wasn't always so bad. We had our ups and downs, but high school gave me a lot more than I ever imagined it would. For all you high schoolers out there, enjoy it while it lasts.