For almost 18 years we have been going to these schools. No matter where you’ve lived. No matter who your friends have been. No matter what you’ve done in your free time. It feels like these schools have been the one commonality in each of our lives. However, as our time here draws to a close that can no longer be said. But, what has quickly taken its place is the knowledge that the future has arrived.
We all have different plans after graduation. Though it seems like most of us plan on going to college. When asked where most seniors go after high school, guidance counselor Justine May says, “Most kids go to college”. We see this plan with several IHS seniors. For instance, students Sau-Lok Ma, Chloe Perley, and Thalia McNamara all say that they plan on going to college. While deciding to go to college is certainly a big decision, an undoubtedly larger decision is choosing what to study. This decision will most likely set in stone what you do with the rest of your life. When asked what he plans to major in, Sau says, “I want to major in something related to computer science but cybersecurity or IT might be a safer bet with AI on the rise.” Additionally, when asked what she wants to major in, Thalia said, “Either sports medicine or political science… I don’t really want to be a nurse but if I can incorporate physical therapy and stuff like that into my passion, sports, I think that would be a really cool job. But political science is kinda my back up because I absolutely love politics.” Finally, when asked about her planned major, Chloe says, “I would want to go to school for business.”
A large part of our lives is collectively coming to an end. We have spent almost 18 years coming to the same places and seeing the same people day in and day out. Therefore, it is important to consider what people are feeling in the twilight of our time together. When asked what she’s feeling about a big part of her life coming to an end, Chloe says, “Sad, but also happy… I’m ready to move on from this place. I’ve been here for a while.” When asked what he was feeling, Sau said, “I’m glad I was able to make so many good memories and make so many good friends.”
One other feeling that is completely intertwined with moving on from our lives here is that we will never see some people ever again. It seems weird to think about considering we’ve spent almost 18 years seeing each other almost every single day but it’s true. When asked how she feels about never seeing some people again, Thalia says, “Certain people I don’t really care that much but I am going to miss a lot of my friends. But even including those people that I don’t like very much, they’ve been a part of my life since I was in kindergarten and not constantly being around them is going to be really strange.” Additionally, when asked how she feels whenever a senior class leaves to start their own lives, Ms. May said, “It’s bittersweet… It can be sad… but I am happy for you guys.”
In the end, we are all deciding to move on with our lives. We are starting the first page of a new chapter of our lives. One without the commonalities we all used to share. Commonalities that will soon be replaced by the ones we find with new people in new places.
