Well this is it. I am finally a senior. In movies and books being a senior is portrayed as your easiest year, a year filled with fun and parties and friends. I’m not about all that.
This year I am taking five different college classes. I am going to be involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, and, oh yeah, be one of the editors of the school newspaper. I admit I need to loosen up and get more involved with my inner cheerleader. Go to a few more games, go to a dance or two, and make some good memories.

I haven’t had the easiest time in school. Bullies and stress and depression have taken a toll on me the past few years but this year will be different. It took seven years but I finally realized I don’t need other people’s confirmation. I can do well, and be happy without worrying about what other people think of me. I’m a senior. I graduate in nine months. I probably won’t see 90 percent of my classmates ever again. So my thought process is “there will always be people judging you but you won’t always have a last year of high school.”

I admit, I’m kind of just ready to go and move out, start college and get on with my life. But when I stop myself and calm down, I realize I actually will miss some of this. The not-good-but-familiar smell of the halls the very first day of school. Saying hi to my favorite teachers in the hallway. The safety blanketness of knowing I will go back to ALHS after summer is over.

But after this summer, I’m going to be the one to decide what I’m doing. And it’s scary. Exciting, but scary. Growing up in a small town has not been the most thrilling. But I won’t let that stop me. I hope to travel the world even more, and to live my life to the fullest.

So as a gateway, I am going into this year with my grades high and my head held higher. Nothing or no one can stop me now. I’m in the home stretch.

So to any eighth or ninth graders reading this, don’t worry you’ve got time. But use it wisely. Have fun, don’t worry about what others think because the only opinion that matters about you is your own.
And to any fellow seniors, have a good last year, make some lasting memories and try not to do anything stupid.