These last four years have gone by so fast, from getting an “extra 2 weeks” of Spring Break back in 8th grade to now getting ready to walk the stage and graduate high school. But each year has been a learning experience, from online school due to COVID to preparing for college, time sure did go by fast.  From highs to lows, I achieved things I never thought were possible.  Making friends along the way, I realize now that I sure did take high school for granted.  Life won’t ever be as easy as it was these past few years. 

Freshman year was quite a unique experience, as coming into high school I only had a few friends as most of my middle school classmates went to Central. Making the situation worse was that we entered high school masked up and in cohorts due to COVID. As someone who was shy and not very talkative, it was hard meeting new people, as one of my closest friends was in the other cohort. But something that helped me more more social was sports. I joined soccer my freshman year and was able to be around other kids, unmasked and connected. However, due to COVID, the soccer season was pushed to Spring instead of Fall. That didn’t bother me as I was able to connect with my teammates, the ones my age and the older ones and now they are some of my closest friends. 

Sophomore year was our first “normal” year, but not quite as normal as we were transitioning into the newbuilding which meant there was a lot of back and forth going on to get to classes. Not to mention that school had to end early due to a asbestos removal.  Better to get out before it gave us cancer! Either way, I still made it work, as it was the first year every student was back and got a glimpse of normal high school, sporting events, full-size classrooms, etc. I was able to meet new people and started to be more social, as I didn’t have a mask to hide behind. I played soccer again and once again was able to connect with them, creating a bond that we still have to this day.

Junior year was the first year at the new building. Another year of connecting with new people and making new friends. This year was different now because I was able to drive meaning I was able to go to more events and be more involved and socialize. Once again I played soccer but this time I was on varsity, but the last two years have prepared me for the moment. It was a very exciting season as I had amazing teammates, older and younger, and we were a big family. Many memories were made, and it would be the last season that Coach Marty would be there as he would retire. He taught me so much, not only about soccer but also about being a better person. Also during junior year, I decided to take the risk and join AVID, which to this day I don’t regret joining at all. I also took a risk and joined track. Another decision I don’t regret making as it taught me new things, introduced me to new people, and made new friends.

Finally my senior year, I was one of the team captains for soccer, and even though it didn’t go as wanted, what mattered was the memories that were made with my teammates and enjoying my last year with the team. But I was also able to balance soccer with being able to attend sporting events and enjoy them with my friends. Then came the most stressful time of the year as a senior, applying to colleges and scrambling to get all the things needed to be able to apply. After that was the waiting game to see what colleges accepted you. But the job wasn’t finished, because what followed after that was scholarships and waiting for FAFSA to open up. But in the meantime, I let the best of senioritis get to me and just cruised through all of the second semester. Another year of track which made school go by even faster and it was.

I have met new people and made new friends, but my middle school friends that I entered with are still my friends, and still close with them, as without them I’m not sure how I would be in the position I am now. Obviously, it will change as they will go on to different colleges and may never see each other again, but what mattered was we were able to stick together and make it this far.

I will be attending UNC to become a petroleum geologist. It’s kind of hard to move away from my parents since I’m the youngest and so close to them, but I’m excited to take on this new challenge.