Transformed, we will conquer this uncharted territory

butterflies. Four years ago, we were all just little larvae eager to explore the world ahead of us at Marshall. But little did we know, it was all just the beginning. Throughout our time at Marshall, we would learn, smile, cry and cheer. But most importantly, we would change.

This change may have been gradual, almost going unnoticed, but I implore you to think back to your freshman self and take a moment to see just how far you’ve come and take pride in that. But, in the past few months or so, life as we know it has hit a full 180. We’ve had to learn how to reconcile the uncertainty of the future while also dealing with the surreal circumstances of the present. But I choose to believe that these unfortunate happenings are only the catalyst for which we can choose to grow as both students and as individuals.

Remember that monarch I mentioned earlier? They also have dealt with their fair share of change. I find it absolutely inspiring that the entire purpose of a caterpillar’s life is to eat food and grow bigger (sounds like the dream). But it is through this simple life that the caterpillar prepares for its biggest change yet — a metamorphosis it is entirely unaware of. And by embarking on this journey underscored by the grandest leap of faith, the caterpillar is reborn into a new being symbolizing the beautifully chaotic journey of life.

We are the monarchs that will soon embark on a new journey, a journey charted by no other generation. Yes, we may have lost the final moments of our senior year, but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost the memories.

lSo hold on to these memories, and let them uplift and guide you.

But I’ll be honest. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t know when life will go back to normal, whatever normal may be. But I do know that this is our chance to be reborn, to grow from within ourselves, to leap without looking and to soar.

This is our year, graduates! We are the monarchs that, with the flap of our wings, will surely change the world.

To the parents: We love you. To the Marshall teachers and administrators: We appreciate you. And to the Marshall graduating Class of 2020: I’ll miss you. Thank you, my friends, for everything.

Courtesy photo Gabriel Casanova: “I choose to believe that these unfortunate happenings are only the catalyst for which we can choose to grow.”