"You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this"
- Trace Adkins
Dear Seniors,
You made it! Congratulations on making it this far in life. It's amazing how fast time flies right? And everyone thinks it wouldn't, but four years goes by fast. Think about the time you walked in as that freshman on your first day of school. How did it feel? Were you nervous? You got your first locker and homeroom and thought there were much more to come. And soon you will close your final locker. Did you enjoy high school? There are stepping stones in a huge lake and you crossed every single one of them. Each stone stepped you into the direction of the person you are today. You crossed the paths and you made it through. The great times you have are memories you keep as you move on with life. You may be jubilant that you're leaving high school or you may be in tears. Either way, ten years from now, you're going to want to relive a lot of memories that you had in high school.
As much as you hated all four years sometimes, you will want it back. In the timeline of life, those four lines have been filled. Those four little lines. Now go and fill out your timeline even more! Remember the feeling of being young and running around on the fields during recess in elementary school. Remember dressing up like a nerd but you thought you were cool in middle school. Remember all the hardships you went through your whole life and how you thought you weren't going to make it in this world. You have not only found your place in the world but you made it through high school! And even if you haven't fully found your place yet, you will find it soon, I promise! Like Walt Disney had said, "if you can dream it you can do it". You can do anything you set your mind to. Whether you end up being a teacher, doctor, or cashier at a store, you still will be successful.
Remember that test you failed freshman year? See how it doesn't matter now. That acne and outfits you hated, you don't even care about anymore because you realized how much of an amazing person you are and that those little things don't define the person you are. All those amazing things like becoming brave and mature and becoming the young adult you now take years, great things take time. Isn't the end result amazing? As cliche as it sounds, in the book you call “your life”, a new chapter is ending, only for a new one to begin. Remember to thank the family who was always on your side no matter what, the friends that you have made throughout everything, and the teachers who taught you more than what's in a textbook, the ones who taught you about life. You only live once, so go out there and make your life the way YOU dream it to be. You want to become a famous singer, go to tryouts to be in shows. You want to be an artist, put your art in a museum and submit your work everywhere. You want to be a teacher, go out and inspire students. If you believe in yourself, everything and anything is possible. Keep being that strong and positive person you grew up to be.
Think of a baseball field, the player throws the ball to you. It starts to go the opposite way and you get confused. You think fast and run to the side where it is and you catch the ball. This is an example of how life is. When life throws you a bunch curve balls and it sure will, just find which direction the curve ball is going and catch it. When you do that, you will be relieved.
The other thing I wanted to discuss with you is love. That word gets tossed around every day. When you love someone, it's who you want to love. If you let others influence you to go out with someone, it's not love. Make sure you love who you want. So what if you're gay and people make fun of you? Don't you dare let anybody tell you you're a bad person for liking someone of your own gender? You're amazing and perfect just the way you are. You have the right to love who you want. Just remember to not influence people to do things they don't want to do.
Lastly, I want to finally tell you, thank you. Why am I thanking you, you ask? I am thanking you because without watching all of these seniors grow and improve, I wouldn't have become the person I am today. I saw the change in how everyone was and that is so wonderful. You guys and I have really shown our teachers and families we can do it. As you stand next to each other on graduation day and move your tassels, you're in such shock. As the tears begin to form in your eyes as you shake the person's hand, get the diploma and you finally stand proudly and say "I made it".
Seniors, there's one last thing to say, congratulations, the life you live is all up to you so make good choices and keep being outstanding. Have a great life.
From A Graduated Senior,
Nicolette Palazzo
