Memories remind students how lucky they are

who is going to be presenting what slide. We’ve come a long way. Still, I think what made freshman year so intimidating and what makes college so alarming now is knowing that everything will change. We will leave here today to live our new lives as adults — as people who will soon begin writing their stories on the world. And that’s terrifying.

And, honestly, it’s probably even more terrifying for our mentors and families who have supported us wholeheartedly through this journey. Yes, we the students of the Class of 2020, have gone through a lot of change, whether it be the everchanging environment of our school, the teachers who have come and gone or the changes in our world as a whole that have impacted us. We have had to learn how to adapt and accept change, but we have to remember that the adults around us experienced this change too.

We were never alone, not for a single second. And, when all is said and done, I’m sure they’re proud, but also afraid of the thought of us graduating and beginning the next step in our lives because that means that their lives will change too. After all, during these four years, we have made so many memories with each of them.

Like all those times Mr. Muenich shared his strange but entertaining stories; all those times Mrs. Sallese nagged us about capitalizing our “I”s; all those times that our teachers have gone out of their way to help us understand the content; and all those times that our teachers have encouraged us to not strive for perfection, but be the best person we can be.

These experiences, and so many others, made me realize just how lucky we were these four years to have these teachers around us. When I look back at the impacts of my teachers, I also think about how much my family has done. Whenever I felt like giving up, my mom and dad would encourage me to persevere. During my later years in high school especially, I felt motivated more than ever, seeing my mom go back to college to become a nurse. Because, believe me, it’s hard to think that you’re going through the worst of it in anatomy when your mother is in organic chemistry, taking notes and studying for hours on end. Each of these role models were here for us through these uncertain, change-filled years of our lives. I think I can speak for everyone when I say without them, I don’t think we could have been as successful in high school and we definitely would have enjoyed it far less.

Yes, change is terrifying. And I am still scared of change. In fact, I would probably call it my greatest fear to this day, but change is inevitable. And, honestly, as much as change can tear down, destroy and break; change can also build up, create and mend. It all depends on how you welcome the coming change. Do you sit in fear and try to avoid it for as long as possible or do you take the leap and make the most of the change that comes?

This a question that each of you will have to answer for yourselves. Because, at the end of the day, we will leave all of this behind. No more Eagle days, strange Spanish videos, “Johnologues” in class, students doing math in English class or “gnomecomings.” No more #mechsfams, Señor Wooly videos or chaotic advisory periods.

Our high school days are over, and we need to embrace the future changes with arms wide open. Believe me, I will never forget all of the memories I have made and it’s unfortunate that our senior year was cut short. In my time getting to know all of you, I already know that each of you will do great things. Each of you will embrace change and make your own changes on the world and the people around you more than you already have.

Each of us within the Class of 2020 has already affected so many people and have made it so far. Just think what we will do in the upcoming years that await us. I want to leave everyone with one last question. When change knocks at your door, will you fear it, or will you welcome it?