High school holds some of the best (and most awkward) memories of one’s life. The day to day interaction between classmates and teachers seemed to be prominent, providing hours of being in one place, surrounded by what seemed like a second family, whether we care to admit it or not. I remember the hallways being filled with the sound of footsteps and chitter chatter, screaming with distaste or screaming with laughter, the cafeteria food that was hit or miss. Either way, it felt like a second home.

Now that high school has swiftly passed by as quickly as it came, I remember all the lessons that were learned, lessons that were not a requirement to teach. The conversations that were held after the bell rang seemed to be the most eye opening for me, like the “teacher hat” was taken off and unfiltered dialogue ensued, to some degree.

High school was the molding years for a lot of people. I often hated getting up in the morning to go, especially senior year (senioritis is real and I refuse to believe differently). I knew that with each class period that passed by, I would at least attempt to soak in as much as I possibly could. Now that I am three years removed from high school, those sounds of footsteps and laughter are missed. Those conversations after the bell are missed. As much as I would have hated to appreciate those growing pains and lessons learned throughout high school back then, those days are appreciated now wholeheartedly. High school events such as football and basketball games, as well as prom, are the underlying theme for some of my most vivid memories. Dressing up for themed football games, screaming vulgarities to the opposing student section, and listening to the band play at halftime remained constant, as each one of us grew older, evolving and changing, within those four walls.

I guess at 14-15 and entering high school, the feeling of excitement is at an all-time high, while at the age of 18 and having one foot out the door, the feeling of excitement turns into eagerness. Eager to leave and close that chapter of life and start a new one, start fresh. I never realized how important those years were for me until I reflected on my own life, as I’m sure so many people do. The friendships, some of them not as prominent as back in the day, were built around who I was back then, and needless to say well…I’ve changed. But that doesn’t mean those friendships didn’t make the bad days good and the good days great. The friendships that do remain, are a reminder of how sweet unbreakable bonds are no matter the time period, providing gentle reminders of the good ol' days.

Time has showed me that it doesn’t stop, and never will. I believe that we all have at least one memory that we look back on and smile at. That one favorite teacher who always took a little extra time showing that he/she cared outside of the classroom. Screaming at student sections at sporting events, or even when graduation finally hit, and as the caps fell to the ground a twinge of sadness crept in, making the transition from those innocent high school days all too real. Either way, high school was the stepping stone for what life has brought in our world today - a chapter that was all-in-all a good read.