Thirty-Six... An End And A New Beginning

 

    It’s hard to believe that in only 36 days we are going to be walking across the stage in our caps and gowns! When I think about college and my future there, I’ll admit I get kind of scared. My elementary, middle, and high schools have all been situated on the pleasant, tree-lined street that we call Northfield Parkway, but in a few months I will have to move away from this comfort and into the unknown. 

    Although college is a slightly frightening opportunity for me, it is also an opportunity for me to learn about what interests me the most, which sounds pretty exciting. One of the most important things that my secondary education has taught me is that life is full of opportunities, both big and small, to learn and grow. I’ve also learned that when you find an opportunity that scares you a little, then you most definitely have to pursue it, because this is the force that will push you outside of your comfort zone and into a great adventure. 

When I was a freshman, I was presented with an opportunity that simultaneously exhilarated me and made me extremely nervous. I had loved being in student government ever since elementary school, but at this particular point at the end of freshman year I had the chance to run for a position as a Class Officer for the next school year. The idea of campaigning and interviewing was unsettling, but I felt the reward was worth it. I ended up running but not being elected. The same thing happened to me when I ran for a position at the end of my sophomore year as well. When the spring of my junior year rolled around, I ran for a position again, and I had a lot of fun doing it. Over the years, campaigning became less of a burden and more of an excitement, and I actually began to look forward to it. When I found out that I was elected, the strongest feeling of excitement and relief washed over me, and I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day. That’s another thing high school taught me about opportunities: they are not always going to be easy, and more often than not success won’t come until the end of a long, uphill battle. But that’s okay, because the views from halfway up the mountain look pretty good too. 

Exploring all of these opportunities is fun and rewarding, but having a strong family foundation in life is also important. This is a lesson that the pandemic has taught me. Although the world outside my house seemed to be shaky, the people inside my home steadied it for me, which helped me to realize just how much I depend on them. In my opinion, there is nothing more important in life than family. 

We only have thirty-six more days before we walk across the stage in our caps and gowns.  My high school education is not over yet, and these days are a chance for me to make the most of my time here at Troy High. This is an opportunity that I definitely intend to take.