Many students experience major attitude changes and overall drops in enthusiasm throughout high school, especially as the end of the year comes in sight.
I hear comments from peers, such as “I can’t wait to graduate and finally get out of here!” on a daily basis. I understand where these comments are coming from, however, they strike a nerve with me.
While I’m excited to go on to college and explore new challenges, meet interesting people and eat food that will make me miss my mom’s cooking, I know I will have a difficult time saying goodbye to Temple City High School.
Like many other students, I’ve spent four years of my life at TCHS. I’ve matured from that awkward middle schooler with braces and bangs, content to go with the flow, but unsure of where it would take me, and I’ve grown into someone with the confidence to take the road less travelled and chop off my hair, as well as the direction and independence to choose a university, regardless of a stigma.
My time at TCHS has been a whirlwind. I’ve been to eleven school dances, two of them, I’m proud to say, stag. I’ve made more flash cards than I’ll ever be able to store. I’ve watched my friends grow and I’ve watched some leave. I’ve fallen head over heels for a boy.
And while it is true that these experiences have been accompanied by stress, late nights and even tears, I know I’m going to miss all that high school has brought me.
While many students may bash our classes, teachers, school dances and assemblies, once we’ve walked out of those school gates, most of us will realize that it’s fun to participate in class, be spirited in assemblies and feel like a million dollars on prom night and wish we had realized what we had sooner.
I urge all students not to be so quick to say goodbye to TCHS. An uncaring attitude in class is obvious to teachers and it weakens the enthusiasm of others around you.
You owe it to your teachers and, more importantly, to yourself to do your best in your classes and be present both mentally and physically, as Mr. Hoague would say. Otherwise, you might miss out on some incredible moments.
I urge my fellow seniors who are preoccupied with sending in college acceptances, eager to take one step closer to adulthood, to stop and think about a place that they, in many ways, grew up in.
It’s been repeatedly said: the end of high school is not truly an end, but a beginning, so seniors, make sure that you start off strong, instead of restless and wishing.
All in all, you only get only get one high school experience, so while it may sound cliché, students should try to get as much out of high school as they can.