“We really are all in this together, ‘cause once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat”.
The infamous Troy Bolton line wrapping up the movie High School Musical 3 has stuck with me since I was little. At the time, I had no idea what that truly meant, but reflecting on the past four years at WJ, your high school experience is the people who you choose to surround yourself with — the people who make up your “together.”
I want to start off by thanking my best friend, Elizabeth, who has been by my side and with me through it all, since kindergarten. When signing up for our freshman year classes, she had mentioned Journalism 1, and I quickly thought, “Yeah sure, I’ll take that so we can have a class together.” Little did I know that was one of the best decisions I would make. Walking into Room 193 every day, you never really know what that class will hold. It could be Seyun badgering everyone to turn in their articles or playing best dressed as a fun Friday activity.
But, one thing I do know that will be there every day is the happy, encouraging and inspiring environment The Pitch brings, surrounded by truly the best group of people. To the person at the core of it all, Mrs. Borrelli, our advisor, teacher mentor and so much more, thank you. Thank you for always supporting us and reminding us to be ourselves. The dedication, drive and commitment you have for all of us to do our best truly is what makes The Pitch special, and it wouldn’t be the same without you.
I know it’s cliché to say, but high school really does go by fast. Here is my last piece of advice: there are going to be a lot of changes, especially to you as a person, and an abundance of ups and downs, but something I always come back to is: these are the years you have to change, explore your interests, and have fun because you are never going to be 15, 16, 17 and 18 again.
As I write this, I have so many mixed feelings about graduation happening in less than a month. There are sad moments and memories about leaving WJ, such as not being able to see my friends and teachers every day. But there are many happy moments and memories to hold onto and make in my future.
I am so happy to say that for the next four years, I will be attending Elon University as a Teaching Fellow. My whole life, it’s been my dream to be a teacher, and now that the next few years for me are bringing my dreams to fruition, I could not be more excited. I already know I will miss my friends (and my family), but reflecting on the memories I’ve made at WJ and being on The Pitch, I will hold onto them forever.
As Ryan Evans says, “High school wasn’t meant to last forever.” Ryan was right — besides, who would want high school to last forever, anyway? High school might not last forever, but the memories will.
