`Throughout the four years I have spent at WJ, I have been able to gain many experiences and make memories throughout all of it. People always hear the same cliche, high school goes by fast, it’ll be over before you know it, but I never expected myself to reach this point so quickly. It feels like just yesterday I was walking through the doors for the first time, looking around and thinking this is where I’m spending my next four years.

It was a big jump for me, and for everyone around me, a bigger school and more people. At first I really struggled to find my place, but I went through many friends and experiences, which all led up to my senior year, which has by far been my favorite. It’s where I made the most memories and created friendships I hope will last a lifetime. It’s hard having to push through school knowing you’re so close to the finish line, but rather than just trying to get to the end, you have to learn to live in the moment. I didn’t forget about my studies, it’s important to show up and work hard, so you know all the work you put in will pay off for your future.

This final year is the last time I’ll be in the same place as the people I’ve grown up with, some I started with in preschool, and some I only met this year, but they’re all an important part of my life. I wanted to take the opportunity to live my senior year to the fullest, I took advantage of the senior events, having fun laughing and doing side quests with my friends. But on the other hand, it’s not always just fun and games, it’s the time to seriously think about our futures, and where we want to go once we graduate. I didn’t know what decision I was gonna make. People always talk about what school they’re applying to and where they wanna go in the US, but I felt singled out in a way. I knew I wanted to go abroad, back to my roots and where my family is from. I found it important for myself to be able to get out of my comfort zone, and be able to start my life independently and on my own, which I always believed what college was supposed to be.

Now, I am unbelievably excited for my future and where I will end up, but I’ll never forget all the memories I have made within the walls of WJ, and especially the Pitch, the family I was lucky enough to be a part of for three years.