As our senior year is coming to an end, it is crazy to think about how fast time has gone. Just yesterday, it felt like the class of 2026 was entering their freshman year of high school. However, the seniors are just a couple of weeks away from graduation. High school is a time full of creating memories that will stick with us forever. It is a time when students find friends and their true identities. High school has taught us many life skills that we can carry into the future.
Many seniors either love high school or hate it. Personally, as I reflect on my time in high school, I was the girl who enjoyed coming to school every day. I enjoyed coming to school for the social aspect, but the homework was not my favorite part. However, I did not mind the homework too much because I tried to stay organized to ensure I had time to finish and turn in all my assignments.
Out of all my high school years, I would say my favorite was my junior year because I finally got the chance to experience what it was like to be an upperclassman. I earned my letterman’s jacket and got my driver’s license. According to fellow senior Alexis Alford, “My favorite grade from high school has probably been senior year because over the year we have many memorable moments, and I feel like throughout high school we find out who we are, and by senior year we know our identity.” I would have to agree with Lexi that senior year is a time we find out who we are, and it’s made me learn to soak in every moment.
Along with many seniors having a favorite grade, many also have a favorite memory from high school. Senior Brody Hillis stated, “My favorite memory from high school was winning regional and going to the final four for basketball freshman year.” I was on the cheer team during this time, and this was definitely my favorite memory for me as well. Also, many seniors recall their favorite classes and their non-favorite classes. Senior Ally Berry stated, “My favorite classes from high school were ceramics and my CNA classes I took at the Polytech. Ceramics was a fun class because it was fun to get to build things and be around my friends, as well as it was a break from being in harder classes with actual schoolwork. My CNA classes were some of my favorites, too, because they prepared me for the medical field, which is what I want to be a part of when I graduate college.” Senior Danny Manzano added, “My least favorite and hardest class from high school is ACP Calculus because I take it online through IU Bloomington. The exams are hard. The lecture videos are different from the homework. It is my hardest class because it requires the most effort. At least I will have a college credit and will not have to take the AP test.” As a fellow Calculus student, I would agree that it is one of the hardest classes in high school.
As the seniors here at Lewis Cass are about to graduate, we all have something we will miss from high school. According to Xavier Zavala Garcia, “I’ll miss being able to hang out with my friends every day. The unfortunate truth is that after this year, I won’t be able to hang out with some of my friends anymore because of work or school. I think high school is a great place to make new friends who all share different interests or points of view. I’ll never understand the people who call school jail because it’s the tutorial, and I’m enjoying the easiest chapter of my life.” Xavier’s point is valid because as seniors move on in our lives, we will be less able to see our friends every day.
Additionally, teachers have a huge impact on our high school journey. Senior Alivya Strong states, “The teacher I will miss most is Mrs.Hileman. She has been there for me so many times, and I can trust her with anything. She has always helped me in any predicament.” As I reflect on teachers over the years, I would say Mrs. Bryan has had the most impact on my life because I have been a teacher’s assistant for the past four years. She is easy to talk to, and I can tell her about anything. Mrs.Bryan also makes sure I know about scholarships and gives me valuable advice that I will take with me in the future. Lastly, many of us seniors have important lessons that we have learned while in high school. Senior Hailee Roeske stated, “The most important lesson I learned was probably through band, where I learned how to lead others.”
As I personally say goodbye to high school, I am more than ready to go on to new things, such as college, working, and branching out into what my life will really look like. However, part of me will still be disappointed when the day arrives when I will not wake up to go to high school. I will also miss the extracurricular activities I was involved in, which I’m sure many other seniors would agree. Overall, if I had one piece of advice to give to incoming freshmen or juniors becoming seniors, I would say soak in every moment. Looking back at my freshman year, I thought high school would feel like forever; however, it flew by quickly. So, I would recommend taking that picture with your friends, getting your homework done on time, and enjoying every second of the situation you are currently living in, because in just a few short years, it is all going to change. Lastly, it may seem silly at the moment, but someday seniors might miss something they had in high school, so cherish it while you can!
