As the final bell of the school year gets closer to ringing, a mix of emotions fills the hallways. There’s extreme excitement for summer and the needed rest from school. There’s also a strong feeling of bittersweet nostalgia: the friendships made along the way, the hard work, and most of all, the memories formed within the school walls. This is the time when students get to reflect and look back on the challenges that led them to grow and become who they are today.
For the seniors, the end of the school year is an even bigger deal. Graduation not only marks the end of the school year, but also the years of effort, dedication, and patience. It’s an event that starts the new chapter of their lives as they’re ready to continue their passions. Filled with the un-guaranteed days and endless possibilities, it can be scary. As they get their caps and gowns ready, they stand on the brink of true adulthood. They are ready to embrace it and take in all that comes with it. High school has prepared them for this moment. They are filled with knowledge and experiences to help them navigate through their future.
Graduation is a time to celebrate the milestones reached. It’s a time to honor the teachers, family, and friends who supported and encouraged them along the way.
Kat Stamelos explains, “As a senior, I feel older and ready for the next step or chapter in my life, especially now that we are graduating. But graduating also brings an emotional component where I start to miss everyone and all the memories I have created because it is all we know right now.”
It is clear that Kat is excited to flip to a new page in her life, regardless of how much she is going to miss the comfortable and secure school.
Some students wait all school year for the freedom of summer break. They dread school and hope every day goes by fast. However, when Kaylei Iafelice takes a step back to reflect, she explains, “Time went by super fast! It feels slow at the moment but, in the blink of an eye, graduation is suddenly in two weeks.”
Kaylei also reminds us not to take high school for granted by saying, “I remember walking into the school my freshman year in a panic thinking I was going to be late to first period, and asking an upperclassman to help me open my locker like it was yesterday. I do wish I had a little more time for the people, the memories, and the laughs.”
At the end of the day, we must remember that these seniors now were once freshman, sophomores, and juniors. They made memories along the way, they shared experiences whether they were good or bad, and the school watched them grow up and mature to become the amazing people they are today.
Kat Stamelos says, “My favorite high school memory is junior year track season and picking up running.”
Kat has always been a great runner for Emerson, and people should remember the standards and legacy she set up for students in the same position she is.
Kaylei also shares some touching words and advice for current high school students. She exclaims how not to take time here for granted, and to cherish every moment. She also explains how the little things are the things that will be missed the most once you are going to graduate. She teaches us that not only do the big moments matter, but the little moments matter just as much!
All seniors should be so proud of themselves for everything they have accomplished and all the hard work they have put in. They will truly be missed, and many people are excited to learn about what they will become and do after high school.
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