Graduation

For those of you unaware, graduation was Thursday night. Am I the only one who is a little sad? I'll miss all the seniors, even though I didn't know too many of them. Most of them I'll probably never see again. There are a few that I hope I'll encounter in the future, those who weren't really friends but acquaintances who I only knew a little bit but will miss nonetheless.

Following is my tribute to the seniors that made an impact on my life. Maybe that's a little too dramatic. Let's try again. This is a recognition of those seniors I knew in some way and will miss (first names only because I don't want them to hunt me down).

• The French Clubbers: Jillian, our fearless leader, you might have been a little hard to get along with, but you made French club fun, especially the middle school trip; Christine, treasurer, even if you never sent the emails you were supposed to, the crepe-making ingredients you bought were yummy; Lexi, caroling with the old people was fun!
• The Seniors in my Creative Writing Class: Thanks for being nice to me, guys! Little first-semester freshmen really don't need to be intimidated by you!
• All the theater kids but especially Alisha and Rett: It was great getting to know you all backstage at Anything Goes! (Even if you don't know me...) Again, thanks for being nice to the freshmen! Alisha, wasn't that quick change fun? (ha.) Sorry about that zipper. Thanks for being nice to me anyway. Rett, you crazy person. Thanks for the 'constructive criticism' in creative writing, and for being the first to say you like my writing and actually mean it. It was fun hanging out with you at Anything Goes, even when there was zipper drama! I'll be seein' ya backstage!

Ah, the memories. Getting a bit misty-eyed. I think I'll stop now, but before I go I absolutely have to quote Wicked. Please read, and listen, because it's amazing:

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good...

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

I do believe I have been changed for the better...

And because I knew you,
Because I knew you,

Because I knew you,

I have been changed for good.

 

(Sorry it's from glee, but it's the best one I could find)

Well. That's that. Have a great summer people! May I remind you that the word 'commencement' actually means 'beginning'? Happy new beginning.

(I've always wondered if they get their caps back after they toss them in the air. Do they catch the same one or just keep the one they catch?)