Dear Roncalli High School,

Though some may think you are just like every other high school, I know that is far from true. You are without a doubt the greatest high school that anyone could be lucky enough to attend. From your lively pep rallies and to your down right amazing cafeteria cookies, every part of you holds a special place in my heart. You will not soon be forgotten because without you, I know that I would not have become the person that I am today.

Starting as soon as my freshman year, you showed me that striving for excellence was more than just a catch phrase. It's a way of life. And the outstanding staff that you have assembled doesn't stop until every student achieves their own path of excellence. I had the honor of sitting in the classroom of one legendary English teacher, multiple quirky math teachers, and so many more that affected my life more than they will ever know. Teachers who made subjects that seem so boring anything but that. Religion teachers who not only cared about my grades, but also my personal life. Who came to my games as much as my own relatives. And who felt the disappointment of defeat almost as much as I did. But the very best part about your teachers was how well they represented everything you stood for. They taught me how to live my life with faith. And not only by what the catholic teaching says, but also by what is in my own heart.

You taught me that the only real way to walk through life is to walk with God. That trusting in yourself means also trusting in something so much bigger than you can even imagine. The senior Christian awakening retreat that you provide changed my life in more ways than I could have ever expected. It showed me what loving myself really meant and that forgiveness is not only the greatest gift we can give, but also receive. That everyone has their own story and we just have to be willing to listen to them. I knew when I walked through your halls that I was safe and loved. Two things that so many of us desire, yet also take for granted. But that doesn't mean that it was always easy.

Of course, there were hard times, days were I couldn't have hated high school more. I would be the first to say that high school was certainly not the best four years of my life. During my time with you, we experienced the pain of losing a student more than once. But you showed me how to handle that hurt and pain with a grace and strength that I didn't know I had. And every student that makes their way through your halls is both remembered and loved beyond measure. Not matter what hardships we encountered together, I knew that you would always remain the welcoming and comforting sanctuary that so many of us needed.

You were and will always be one of the best places I've ever had the honor of calling home. Yes, like with every high school there was peer pressure and many, many mistakes made along the way. But you taught me that no matter how far down the wrong road you may go, it's never too late to turn back. You taught me to always give people second chances because you gave me so many more than that. That who we are when we're freshmen, shouldn't dictate who we are as seniors. And that being a true leader sometimes means letting others taking the reins. Because reaching true peace within yourself does not always mean being right. And you proved that fact to me time and time again.

But the most important thing you taught me was to never stop growing. You showed me how to push myself both in my academic life and in my personal life. You taught me that progress in any way is the best indicator of success. And that having fun doesn't mean you aren't also working hard. You taught me to fight. And not just because we like to scream the word at the end of our fight song. But because anything worth having in this world won't come easy. That I had to fight for what was right and to never be afraid to make my voice heard. You accepted and loved me for who I was, but you also saw me for who I could be. And you taught me to never stop trying to be that very best version of myself. And while it's important to know where you're going, you have to remember where you've been first. And I know that you are one of those special places that I will never forget. In the words of Pope John Roncalli:

"Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do."

Love always,

One of your many proud alum