It seems weird that my high school’s class of 2016 is graduating this weekend. Roughly a year ago, I delivered a speech as salutatorian of my graduating class and it was the most surreal feeling standing in front of both my peers and the general community. However, looking back on the speech I gave, it brings back countless memories of high school and with those memories, quite a few emotions.

“Life is quick. These first few years of growing up are cinematic almost film-like —whether it was more of rom-com, an action flick or even a kind of a horror movie—what we’ve experienced are still only the previews.

Just imagine as the tape begins to run and you see where your life is headed:

Hi Mom, Hi Dad.
College is going great. The first week went well and I feel like I’m really fitting in.
Congratulations, you got the job.
Happy birthday.
But…you broke my heart.
Will you marry me?
I feel like I’m losing my mind.
You haven’t changed a bit!
Please don’t leave me…
Mom, Dad, I have a surprise for you: You’re going to have grandkids!
I’m sorry, but this has to be goodbye.
I love you so much, happy anniversary.
Is that a tattoo?
You’re fired.
What do you mean “it’s over?”
And the Academy Award goes to…

Now hit pause. Class of 2015, this could be our future. Every statement, every moment—every wish. Each ounce of happiness and sliver of doubt--Every living, breathing opportunity is ours for the taking. You know, as we grow up, the outside world is kind of scary…it’s a world most of us have never experienced. The “real world” is a concept that often seems like a harsh reality—a mythical creature of some sorts. We constantly wish to grow up, yet given the opportunity most adults would relinquish responsibility and relive their favorite childhood memories. Simply put, growing up is a part of life—it’s not an easy part of life, but it is life nonetheless. Why not seek to make it beautiful?

So what happens next? The answer to that question is as varied as the students who make up our graduating class. Many of us know (or at least claim they know) exactly what step to take next, whether that step is college, a full-time job, or running off to the dark jungles of Venezuela. Others, like me, will tell you we have some sort of plan. The big thing about high school is learning about yourself, and many of us will leave this town with some vague idea of the job we’d like to get or degree we’d like to pursue, but nothing more—and that’s okay. From preschool, we’ve grown up having to know all the right answers at every given moment…on the other hand, we also come up with some embarrassingly atrocious answers as well, and the beauty behind it all is that life has no right or wrong answers. I want you to realize something: over the course of these last four years the most important thing I’ve learned—and again, I’m probably speaking for a lot of us here—we only get one go on this planet, so we might as well enjoy it. You have to find a balance between work (school or otherwise) and everything else in the world. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It’s not just a quote from a movie; it’s the God-honest truth. Don’t work yourself to death—yet, at the same time, don’t let life pass you by. You’ve got one shot…make it count.

I stand before you today, one boy facing his future head-on. I thank all my fellow students and faculty for helping me find my way and making high school the best 4 years of my life. To my best friends, I love each and every one of you…we’ve helped one another through the craziest of dilemmas and hardest of times. We became stronger…together—and that strength will always be a part of who I am. To my teachers, thank you for never giving up on me. I used to feel like I’d just get stuck in high school—and with your love and encouragement I’m well on my way to chasing my dreams. And finally, to my parents: The last few years have been the hardest of my life. At times I’ve felt isolated, hurt, abandoned, lost from you two…but through all this pain and confusion, you taught me what love is. Pure, unconditional love. You may not approve of who I am, or who I’ll become and how I live my life. The truth is, you don’t have to…in fact, you’ve never had to approve of who I was—yet, you still love me. I may not be the perfect son, but I love you so much, thank you for everything.

So once again we are full circle, facing the frightening concept known as “growing up.” I’ll probably still ask to use the bathroom at times or even to grab food out of the fridge; yet, in spite of graduating in a few short moments, we’ll still find ourselves pressured to make decisions that ultimately dictate our future from the moment we walk across this stage. We are starting out blind on this monumental life journey and it is slightly discouraging; although, one thing is certain: I have come to the realization that we are truly growing up—and these are simply our first steps.”

If you feel slightly queasy or sick from the sentimentality, I completely understand. Graduation is meant to be extremely emotional for some and liberating for others, finally breaking out of the system and serves as a gateway to the workforce, away from academia. However, upon re-reading this very recently, I really only have one consistent thought on my mind: ‘’Did I really enjoy high school?” The immediate answer is yes. I loved high school. I felt like I grew up and slowly became an adult because of all the major life lessons I learned, whether or not they were easy or difficult to swallow. However, the answer that comes after reflection: “I think so.” For me high school was a strange and bizarre journey, both on a physical and emotional level—it had its ups and downs, its highs and lows. I wasn’t supposed to have all the answers in high school and I don’t think I’m supposed to have them one year later. Nevertheless, the memories and the friends and the experiences are irreplaceable; ultimately, this speech brings me happiness and contentment that my answer is still “I think so.” So while I may not have the perfect answer to whether or not I enjoyed high school, I still believe I’m meant to find that answer eventually—but for now, as I reflect on these memories, all I really know is high school still makes me smile and helped grow into a young man, so why would I ever want to change that?

Congratulations Class of 2016, you made it.