JOANNA SAYS:
The other day, I said I'd know how I felt about grad as soon as I let my nerves settle. But the fact is, I still don't exactly know. After yesterday, I've learned that graduation has it's own feeling. In it's entirety, it's the feeling of stomach-churning excitement juxtaposed with an overwhelming sense of pride and laced with fear of the future’s uncertainty. I realize now how foolish I was to try to isolate the various aspects of what it feels like to finally graduate into its separate parts. To attempt to do that means to simplify everything these past 4 years have amounted to – something I definitely do not want to do. As I was anxiously sitting in my seat last night, I realized something. Not only do we deserve to accept graduation for the vibrant experience it is, it’s something we need to do. This task of acceptance not only applies to the mixed emotions of graduation, but to our overall advancement in life. The only way for us to move forward is to accept and appreciate all that we have for what it’s worth and use it constructively. This includes successes, blessings, mistakes and even failures.
After 4 years of sleepless nights resulting from everything ranging from my once hailed social life to procrastination, having people walk in and out of my life as if it had revolving doors, and dealing with all the unexpected things life has thrown my way, I think I’ve done it. As I arrive at the end of an era, I am finally able to say this confidently:
I am a product of the people I have met, obstacles I have faced, mistakes I have made, goals I have achieved, but most importantly, ambition that continues to drive me. I welcome the future in all its uncertainty because I know that with uncertainty comes possibility. I know what I want, and I’m going to get it.
How?
By refusing to be passive.
The other day, I said I'd know how I felt about grad as soon as I let my nerves settle. But the fact is, I still don't exactly know. After yesterday, I've learned that graduation has it's own feeling. In it's entirety, it's the feeling of stomach-churning excitement juxtaposed with an overwhelming sense of pride and laced with fear of the future’s uncertainty. I realize now how foolish I was to try to isolate the various aspects of what it feels like to finally graduate into its separate parts. To attempt to do that means to simplify everything these past 4 years have amounted to – something I definitely do not want to do. As I was anxiously sitting in my seat last night, I realized something. Not only do we deserve to accept graduation for the vibrant experience it is, it’s something we need to do. This task of acceptance not only applies to the mixed emotions of graduation, but to our overall advancement in life. The only way for us to move forward is to accept and appreciate all that we have for what it’s worth and use it constructively. This includes successes, blessings, mistakes and even failures.
After 4 years of sleepless nights resulting from everything ranging from my once hailed social life to procrastination, having people walk in and out of my life as if it had revolving doors, and dealing with all the unexpected things life has thrown my way, I think I’ve done it. As I arrive at the end of an era, I am finally able to say this confidently:
I am a product of the people I have met, obstacles I have faced, mistakes I have made, goals I have achieved, but most importantly, ambition that continues to drive me. I welcome the future in all its uncertainty because I know that with uncertainty comes possibility. I know what I want, and I’m going to get it.
How?
By refusing to be passive.
One more thing:
Victory runs,
Cheer circles,
Student-run pep rallies, karaoke, and dance battles in the caf,
Stripping down to spandex and jumping on cars...
NOBODY knows school spirit like a FALCON.
FLCHS CLASS OF 2009,
I LOVE YOU GUYS.
