Dear Graduating Class of 2016,
You’re almost there. You’re getting your acceptance letters back and rolling your eyes at the constant reminders to stay focused. It’s flying by just as fast as they said it would and maybe you’re finally beginning to feel a bit nostalgic. If it hasn’t hit you yet, it will soon. March may be the infamous “longest month” with no days off, but, this time, it’s going to fly by. You have less than three months left. 12 weeks.
To the theater kids, your last big shows are either in the past or in the near future. To the artists, you’re final high school projects will be your next big assignment. To the members of the National Honors Society, your monthly community service sheets will soon be a thing of the past and you can stop forging that signature. To all of you, your days walking down the hallway seeing the faces that have been by your side since kindergarten (or earlier) are suddenly going to come to an end. Whether you’re heading to a school close by or hundreds of miles away, things are about to change.
You’re not going to be the rulers of the school anymore. That’s right, you’re going back to the bottom rung. You’re back to seeing strange faces and asking for directions on the first day. It’s a fresh start and if you’re anything like me, that’s both a relief and absolutely terrifying. So all I can say is this: Enjoy every moment.
I know you’ve probably heard it a thousand times but I’m going to say it one more time. You will never have high school again. You’ll never have prom again. You’ll never have spirit week again. You’ll never have classes filled with only familiar faces. So, enjoy the last 12 weeks. Because no matter where you end up I can promise you it will never be the same.
Stop saying you can’t wait to leave. I was guilty of this too. Right around now is when things start to get tense. Maybe it’s because people think pulling away will make saying goodbye easier. Maybe it’s just the stress of figuring out where to go after high school. Whatever the reason, set it aside. Don’t take a second for granted because like I said, you’ll never have it back. The truth of the matter is you really won’t see some of these people ever again. Give them a good last impression.
Come together as a class. I was lucky, my class was the definition of a united front. Now it’s your turn. Show the school what kind of community you can be. If you’re going to have senior skip day, do it together. If you’re going to do a senior prank, do it together. Go to the last few rivalry games and make a good fan section. Show school spirit now more than ever. Now is the time to come together because honestly you will never all be together like this again.
Go to every senior event. They’re all worth it. You think prom is stupid? Do it for the pictures. You most likely won't ever again get to dress up like that with all of your closest friends. So give your mother what she wants and go dress shopping, and, guys, go for the bow tie, it really is a good look. Don’t think senior-faculty dinner/dance will be fun? You’re wrong and you know it so, go. Don’t miss out on these memories. You’re going to want them to look back on.
Getting that diploma will be the most bittersweet moment. You’ll feel the most obscure array of emotions ranging from happiness, relief, disbelief, pride, and if you go to a high school like mine, hunger. (It’s a long ceremony). But, once it’s over, it’s over.
Live it up. Be with your best friends. 12 weeks. What are you going to do with them?
Sincerely,
A Member of the Class of 2015
