By Salma Valadez Design Editor
My high school expectations stemmed from High School Musical, Glee, and Mean Girls. Needless to say, they were very unrealistic. People don’t walk around with basketballs, no one spontaneously bursts into song, and no one got hit by a big yellow school bus. No, high school isn’t as glamorous as it is on the Disney Channel. Yes, it does go by unbelievably fast. I got to school on the first day of freshman year, blinked, and now I’m writing my senior farewell article realizing that I’m the same age my older sister was when I was a freshman.
A lot of amazing memories were made and great things were discovered during the four-year-long chapter that is now coming to an end. Freshman year I found fellowship in my small group which was the first time I felt at home. Sophomore year I found a passion for design and photography through working on the yearbook. Junior year I was a hot mess with a lot of mental breakdowns (Please tell me I wasn’t the only one). Senior year, through all of its unique obstacles, I found my purpose through God.
Throughout all four years of high school, the classes I looked forward to most were my journalism classes. Mrs. Scott was one of the best teachers I have ever had and I will miss her so much. The friends I made in the classes grew into a family. Yearbook gave me a place to express myself creatively and newspaper helped me find my voice. There are truly too many people to list who I will miss deeply while beginning my transition into adulthood, but I’ll name a few: Sally and Zoe, my absolute best friends; Mrs. Scott, the best teacher I could ever ask for who has such a big heart; All of my yearbook staffers and editors who worked so hard to make this year’s book come together; And all of the newspaper staffers and editors who persevered through the challenges that were thrown at them.
Being a part of the class of 2020 has taught valuable lessons: Ranks are not everything. GPA’s are not everything. Grades are not everything. Yes, they’re all important, but they don’t define whether we are a failure or success. It’s so important to enjoy spending time with friends and making final memories as kids, but also to know that high school is only a small milestone compared to the major ones that come with adulthood. I know now not to take any moments for granted. I’ve learned not to fear what the future holds, but to look forward to what the future has in store for me. Jeremiah 29:11 reads “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” With my final goodbye, I encourage all, especially the class of 2020 who was deprived of the traditions that come with senior year, to lean into the Lord’s promise and know that He has given us futures to look forward to.