Stephanie Arana

“It’ll be fun,” they said. “It’ll be a great experience,” they said. Well, they were right. Even though I didn’t have the pleasure of being on this team my sophomore year, once I finally had my chance I could never go back. This classroom wasn’t just another elective for me and my friends. It was a place where we could come to cry, laugh and even sing, our own comfort room. Filled with a group of people who helped me grow as a person and motivated me when I was at my lowest. This team helped me become a stronger writer, a better interviewer and overall a more confident person. 

With many obstacles in my way this year, the main one being Covid-19 but other struggles have crossed my path, from family issues to my own mental health not being on my side. Yet, none of this has kept me from working hard on achieving my goals, having good grades and helping out in my community. I know I wasn’t alone in this and the people that I have spent these past four years with have been a huge part in helping me keep fighting to be better. Striving to be better than I was before. Going to classes and creating those relationships with teachers that would help me grow into not only a better student, but also a better person.  Now it’s time to not only become the doctors and astronauts we said we would be when we grew up, but also the people we needed when we were still learning how to grow up.

With our senior year now coming to an end. We always felt like this day was so far away when we were little. In kindergarten we used to say “oh, I still have about 10 more years until I graduate,” then when we hit middle school. Ten turned to four and now we have a couple of days until we finally reach that finish line, when all our hard work, blood, sweat and tears are finally paid off. As soon as I hear my name and proudly walk across that stage with multiple cords around my neck signifying my place in helping the community and black stole that shows off my hard academic work would all finally be worth it. Finally reaching the end of the stage where I am given my diploma signifying the end of my high school career and the start of my new independent life where I decide where I will end up and who I will end up being. 

Truly me.