As the 2026 school year ends and my high school career comes to a close, I find myself reminiscing on all of the memories that I have created during these four short years.
In his song “Older,” Singer and songwriter, Ben Platt, sings “When you are younger you’ll wish you’re older, then when you’re older you’ll wish for time to turn around.” I find these lyrics to be true for me because during my freshman and sophomore years, I couldn’t wait to graduate and head off to college. However, as my final year comes to a close, I wish that I hadn’t desired time to fly by because it has flashed past my eyes before I could realize it.
As graduation nears, I realize that high school is not all about receiving a diploma and moving on. It is about the journey that I have overcome throughout my thirteen years spent in school. Each of those years have shaped me into the person and student that I am today.
If it were not for my teachers pushing me to try my hardest, my parents for believing in me when I didn’t, and my friends helping me every step of the way, my life would not be the same. Because of the encouragement that I have received from the many important people in my life, I can walk across the stage at graduation and know that my journey so far has been full of positive memories and people who care for me.
Although it was difficult to balance athletics and academics throughout my high school years, I look back and appreciate the challenge. Running cross country and track has given me the endurance and perseverance that is a great skill to be used throughout my life, and it has given me teammates who act as my second family. My high school classes have also shaped my mind positively and have pushed me to always try my best in everything I do.
Balancing these activities was a tough challenge for me to navigate, but I would not trade it for anything, as it has taught me many lessons and has brought me closer to classmates and teammates.
My advice to students who are still in high school is to open your eyes and live in the moment. Make sure to not focus on the future or the past because you will miss what is right in front of you. Even though high school feels like a long journey, I promise you will reach the top and there will be people to support you along the way. Once you get to the top, at the end of your senior year, you will look back and realize how far you have come and the great challenges that you have overcome along the way.
To my parents, teachers, coaches, and friends who were always there for me when I needed them most, thank you. I could not have done it without you. To the class of 2026, congratulations, we did it!
