It’s been four years. It feels like just yesterday I was a freshman finding my way around the halls, but I’m a senior and graduation is approaching fast. It’s time to start saying goodbye to everything around me. Goodbye to the “bads” — the books I never really read, the school lunches, the kids who don’t know what side of the hallway to walk on. Sadly, it also means goodbye to “goods” — performing at halftime, pep assemblies, the inside jokes. Worst of all, it means goodbye to my friends, family, and teachers.

Throughout my four years, I’ve learned so much from the people around me.

Hojnacki taught me that being family doesn’t mean you’re blood-related; it means you truly care for each other. She is my family.

Manning taught me to see the best in people and have faith in the world as it finally may be changing for the better.

Young taught me a million life lessons. Something that really stuck with me is that he teaches everyone in his class how to tie a tie. I already knew how to do this, but his effort of making sure everyone knew how says a lot to me. It showed me the kind of person he is and the kind of person I want to be.

Weltz taught me that you can always be positive and laugh through anything even when life gets hard.

Sherron taught me that I will make it in the future path I choose as long as I don’t give up. He gave me motivation and an expectation for what is to come ahead.

Smitheran taught me the value of sarcasm, and I will always use it even though no one will ever match the level of sarcasm he and I share.

Payton taught me what it was like to be truly passionate about something. He took me on adventures and gave me a new kind of friendship I hadn’t had before.

Remi taught me to do everything like nobody’s watching. It’s not bad to be the most confident person in the room; you should strive to be the most confident.

Delaney taught me that it’s okay to cry sometimes. Life is hard, and there will be obstacles; you are allowed to cry as long as you don’t give up hope.

JP taught me to believe in myself, and when I didn’t believe in myself, he believed in me. Thanks to him I know someone will always be in my corner.

My grandma taught me that someone will always love me to the moon and back.

My sister taught me to be myself no matter what other people think or are doing. She is my greatest influence in life, and I learn more from her every day.

My mom taught me that there is more to life than the hard times. Even though they are easiest to focus on, there is always something to look forward to. Most importantly she taught me to stand up for myself. This is something I carry with me every day.

These are just some of the things people have taught me. I continue to learn more and more every day, and I know that isn’t going to stop when I leave high school. I will gain new lessons from new people, but it’s hard to leave.

Spring Hill is my home, and it always will be, but it’s time to take the next step. May 20 will be the last day I see the people I’ve known for 12 years, the people I’ve grown up with, my people. But again, it’s been four years, so I have to move on, but I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned and will carry them with me for the rest of my life.