Divorcing High School

Tomorrow is my last day of high school. Actually it's my last day of structured education. And after 13 years of a relationship that's slowly faded from love to fondness, it's time to get a divorce. I say divorce because I'm not exactly happy in this relationship. There are parts of school that I love more than wrestling, which is a lot, but there are parts that I just can't handle much longer. It's a bittersweet time. It's so exciting to know that I'm at the threshold of my future, and yet, it's so sad that there are people I know I won't ever see again after project grad. That's what I want to focus on. I am so incredibly honored to be one of the graduation speakers this year. It means more to me than anyone will ever know. My speech is more focused on the future, so I'd just like to throw out some thoughts about the last four years.

I can't imagine having a better group of classmates than we have. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to drift between different friend groups and get to know everyone. I am so thankful for the genuine people who fill our grade. Even those of us who don't get along all the time can put things aside to join together and cheer on our classmates. There are so many different memories that I've built up these past four years and before. I remember having Axe wars in 6th grade and all the dumb things we did. It's been such a roller coaster ride. We've been through so much together, it's seems crazy that it's all coming to an end. But like I'll say in my speech, graduation shouldn't be the climax of our lives. We have the ability and opportunity to do great things. I have faith that all of us can and will do something great. I would thank people individually for my experiences, but I would end up forgetting something and feeling horrible, so I'll just go for a general thank you. Thank you to the teachers who helped me learn more than what books can teach me. Thank you to the friends new and old I've made. Thank you to the friends I've lost, you taught me the kind of person I don't want to be. Thank you to my family who has been more than supportive. And finally, thank you to the Willard High School class of 2013. There is no other group I'd want to spend 13 years with, and if I could, I have no doubt that I'd do it all again. I've learned so much from each and every one of you and there is no way I would be the person I am today without all of you. I love you guys, and I promise that if anyone ever needs someone to talk to, I will always be willing to listen. It's been the ride of a lifetime, thank you for taking it with me.