All girls high school, contrary to popular belief, was not like “Mean Girls on steroids” (an actual thought someone expressed to me regarding all-girls school, despite never attending one himself). One of the first things people learn about me, after my name and where I'm from, is that I went to an all girls high school. It's something I thought I appreciated even before graduation, but since my continuation of studies in college, I can't believe how incredibly lucky I am to have had the high school experience I did. Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t perfect and there were (and still are) plenty of things that can be improved. Regardless, I was changed for the better.

SEE ALSO: My All-Girls School Made Me Who I Am Today

Thank you for giving me such a strong, fundamental base to my education. Without it, I would truly be lost in college. Despite the dread of writing a thesis paper as a high school senior, writing it gave me an increase in confidence for my writing abilities and time management skills. The 8-10 page paper I’m writing now is a piece of cake compared to the 26 page one I wrote last year.

Thank you for allowing me to explore my interests and providing ample opportunities for growth in an environment where I did not have to fear scrutiny from classmates. I was appreciated in the dark room where I developed film, on the volleyball court where I was a captain, and in my research lab placement where I gained incredible lab experience.

Thank you for bolstering me with an appreciation for my body. Although your dress code was frustrating (and a little ridiculous), at least I know female anatomy and have been able to share that information with people who were unknowing of how the menstrual cycle works.

Thank you for proving time and time again that ‘pretty’ and ‘beautiful’ come in more shades than white and more shapes than skinny. The 89 girls I graduated with are truly stunning. Their beauty comes from more than the surface level and their dedication to follow their passions has inspired me to no extent.

Thank you for my graduating class. Even though graduation is probably the last time we will all be together, our still-active Facebook group is a reminder of the lasting sisterhood we share and I will never forget how incredible our senior year was.

Thank you for teaching me that being a woman is more than having female anatomy. Medically, a woman is defined by how you are but I've been taught to define a woman by who you are.

Thank you for instilling in me an appreciation and respect for females in power. Whether that means becoming a CEO, producing a film, finding the cure for cancer, or being a mom, I know that whatever my life brings me, I will have the confidence and ability to face great obstacles. There is not a doubt in my mind that my classmates will change the world.

Thank you for proving that girls can do anything.