To my graduating class of 2015,
The ferociously cliché phrase you don’t know what you got till it's gone could not be more true in this particular case. You're probably thinking that this is going to be the most standard, overly emotional tribute, and this girl must be ridiculously hung up on those old high school memories.
Well, you’re partially right. I am hung up on the people who allowed me to make mistakes, learn from them and thrive in an accepting and caring environment. I am hung up on the comfort and confidence I felt walking the halls of my high school, feeling so much positive energy and seeing so many of my sisters accomplish such incredible things. I am the first to admit that high school is hard. High school is intimidating and competitive, and I am not here to paint a picture of the idealistic high school experience. I am here to express my overwhelming and sincere gratitude to the beautiful, strong and unique class of girls that I was able to endure the most instrumental time of my life with. I believe that through one another we learned so much about acceptance and appreciation without even realizing it.
I went to an all-girls’ high school, and as I have ventured out into the “real world” of “co-ed” schooling, this concept causes people to widen their eyes, tilt their head back and say, “I am really sorry about that.” Hm. You’re really sorry about what? You’re really sorry about the fact that wearing my pajama pants under my stylish checkered kilt to school without an ounce of makeup on any and all lazy mornings when I just did not feel like changing was amazing? You’re really sorry I did not have to stress about which dashing suitor was going to ask me to prom?
I will firmly attest to the fact that I had a family of strong, insightful, and capable women around me who allowed me to see myself as an individual who was creative, unique and able. I also honestly think that fighting with the administration is more hilarious and more successful when you have a group of girls to fire off the most brilliant reasons for why you don't deserve that detention.
As girls grow and discover who they want to be the most influential and critical aspect of their maturation is seen through and supported by those around her. Around us. We began our journey as strangers, and I highly doubt that in any of the mundane, daily tasks we participated in living alongside one another we knew that four years later those small tokens of love, kindness and respect we showed to each other would still stick with me and I am sure with many of us. We encouraged each other, we rooted for one another, and we stood by one another. I can honestly say I am a better person because I have had the blessing of knowing every single girl in my graduating class. I love you guys so much!
