Graduating high school is so incredibly bittersweet. I’ve worked incredibly hard the past 12 years of my life, spending so much time toward a goal that once seemed so far away. Now I graduate in less than two weeks. 

First, I felt the sweet. Finally, I get to move on to greater things — spending time with those who I choose and exploring a career path in which I couldn’t be more excited. 

Not only am I thrilled to be studying art and learning more about myself in the process, I get to see my best friends do the same. All of the tears over poor test grades, academic stress, missing assignments, and high school drama won’t matter. 

Being further away from some of my best friends will be an adjustment, but this space will do us all good. I’m looking forward to seeing all of my friends grow up and accomplish their goals. 

After thinking of all of the positive attributes that come with ending my high school journey, I’ve started to reminisce on the bitter. 

I won’t be a five-minute drive from my best friends, go to the library and finish assignments that the collective group doesn’t want to do, complain about the same teachers, and see each other every day. 

Similarly, I won’t get to see the teachers every day that I’ve grown to love like family. Anna Manning, adviser, and Abby Stallbaumer, advisory teacher, have grown to be more than teachers. Their support and encouragement is largely what got me through my time at Spring Hill High School. 

There’s an interesting closeness that occurs between students at the high school; students take the same classes, are required to be here for eight hours a day, and face the same difficulties that come with growing up. I think it is this closeness that I will miss the most. Being able to talk to another student who is going through similar struggles and joking around with people you don’t really know anything about. There’s a sense of comradery. 

With all of these bittersweet feelings, I am also struck with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I had an amazing high school experience, one that I know many others did not have. 

Thank you to the teachers that made a massive impact: Anna Manning, Abby Stallbaumer, Paul Young, Rebecca Hertog, Thomas Sherron, Catherine Hapke, and many others. 

Thank you theater department (shoutout props). 

Thank you graphic design and ceramics; I now know what I want to do with my life. 

Thank you to all of the friends who have entered into my life (you know who you are). 

Thank you to all of the underclassmen who are making it so incredibly difficult to leave. 

Thank you for the SPUB worknights where I got nothing academic done but accomplished a lot.