One thing I have always struggled with for as long as I could remember was change. Yes, I was that kid who cried on the bus on the first day of kindergarten. I was sad because I missed being home with my grandparents everyday. I was also that kid who as soon as school let out for the year I would go home and play school with my younger sister, because I missed going to school. But why? 

         Although change has always been a struggle for me, recently I have been learning that it doesn’t have to be. Senior year is the biggest “change” of our lives. Right now it’s the fall of our senior year. Fall sports and activities are having senior nights, we’re choosing our senior pictures, and we’re getting accepted into colleges. These are all great things and big changes. By this time next year, most of us won’t have spoken since graduation. Most of us will be in a “new apartment, in a big city” (taylor swift reference for Jacob Rodney) far from home. But that doesn’t need to be a bad thing. We are all going to grow up and move on to more important things. That girl you have had math class with every year since seventh grade will be a doctor and be saving lives. That boy in your History class will make an impact on so many kids’ lives by being a teacher. We are going to do amazing things. 

         If I have learned anything from growing up and my past years of high school it would be to take risks. There is never going to be a 100% right answer on what you decide to do. I am not just talking about college or moving away, I am talking about playing sports, making friends, asking that person out, or even standing up for what you believe to be right. You write your own destiny. You are the main character of your story. Sometimes in your life you’ll find all the cards are against you and you’ll find yourself an outlier, but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong. The most beautiful thing about growing up and CHANGE is that nothing is permanent. If you make the wrong choice about joining a sport, don’t continue next season. If you find out two months into college that your major isn’t for you anymore, then switch it. Nothing is forever. 

With all of that being said, 

       To the underclassmen just reading this paper because you were told to: Hi, my name is Samantha and I really hope you enjoy our paper. One day all the stuff I said will make sense, but for now, just enjoy. Enjoy life, your friends, the stress of Honors Algebra 2, all of it. Because one day it will be nothing more than just devastatingly- beautiful memories.

       and to my fellow classmates of 2023: time is our most precious gift, so let’s make this the year of no regrets. Take a chance on that person, apply to that college, and go on that trip. This is all we have left, the possibility is terrifyingly exciting.

Forever changing,

Samantha Smith