A Letter to "My" Seniors

To “My” Seniors ~

Today marked your final day of high school.  Congratulations!  I still cannot believe this day has arrived so quickly.  Your first day of high school is a vivid memory for me.  I remember watching as members of your class tried to navigate the different obstacles.  In many ways, that day and my memories of your interactions with one another are symbolic of who I watched your class become over these last four years.  For example, one moment that stands out in my memory from that first day was when one of you quickly scaled to the top of the climbing wall in order to retrieve the rope that someone else in your class had accidentally let go of, sending it soaring to the top.  And today, as I look back on your class, what stands out to me most are all the ways I watched as you came rushing in to help support your classmates when something went wrong.  I also remember the feeling of excitement and energy you displayed on the first day as you faced the four years ahead.  And now, as your high school years come to an end, that same excitement and energy level is evident.  You made it!  You accomplished your goals, you made your impact and you leave as individuals ready to face any challenges which come your way.

It is kind of funny – you are randomly assigned to a counselor based upon the first letters of your last name.  You didn’t get a choice in who you were assigned to work with, but you made the choice to allow me into your lives.  I can never express to you how much that has meant to me.  I cherish the fact that you have allowed me to celebrate the joyful moments and share in the disappointments and heartbreaks which shaped your four years of high school.  For each of you there have been a range of experiences and memories that you will carry with you.  Recently the seniors who have stopped by to visit have been bombarded with my questions of what you will miss, what your best and worst moments of high school were, and what you are most excited about for the future.  Perhaps those are unfair questions since you were just trying to figure out how to make it through classes and the crazy PARCC testing schedules of this year in one piece.  However, I was interested in hearing what you would say and what you would miss most.

My answer to those questions about your class is easy.  What I will miss most is YOU!  I cherished the moments we were able to spend talking together in my office.  I loved being able to share in your lives.  You are leaders who have made a positive difference in the school and community.  Whether it was through adopt-a-child, fundraising events like the talent show and empty bowl, in the classroom or in competitions, you are some of the most impressive leaders I have seen.  Your leadership gives me hope for what the future holds because I know that you will continue to put forth your best efforts to make not only your life better, but also to help all those around you.  The mark of every truly great leader is being dedicated to serving others.  As I mentioned already, the compassion and dedication in supporting your fellow classmates is by far the most impressive trait you display.  And, let’s be honest, your class has faced some sad and scary days.  Perhaps it was being there to listen to a classmate or friend who was having a bad day, or tutoring someone in Physics, Spanish or Math, or encouraging a teammate after a bad play during a competition or game, or even shaving your head as a demonstration of solidarity, no matter what was needed – you helped step forward to fill the need.

You never cease to impress me.  You are bright, talented and full of curiosity.  It was incredible to watch as you took on some of the most challenging academic loads, worked to develop your passions and fostered relationships with mentors beyond the boundaries of the classroom which helped you to learn and grow.  It didn’t matter if it was through art, engineering, science, or medicine, you jumped in with both feet to embrace the moment and learn from the community members you had come into contact with through your activities.  On the athletic fields, you have pulled together to achieve goals (including a girls lacrosse state championship title last year) and you have shown up to fill the stands and cheer on your classmates in their efforts no matter the outcome of the games.  You have overcome illnesses and injuries from cancer to concussions, broken ankles to torn acl’s, and bad backs to mono.  Through all of it you remained positive and hopeful that better days were ahead.  And you definitely had lots of great days too.  Victories big and small were evident in an outstanding musical, a successful mousetrap car, a completed CAS project, a state championship, a robot that worked, a fun-filled prom, a Science Olympiad medal, and, of course, college acceptances and scholarship offers.  You have achieved so much throughout your high school years and should be proud of your accomplishments and the manner with which you have carried yourself along the way.

So even though it is time for me to say good-bye, I want you to know that I will always hold a part of you with me in my heart.  I am proud of you and so thankful for the way you have touched my life.  You have wonderful opportunities ahead of you and I cannot wait to see all that you accomplish.  Congratulations!

 

Best wishes for the future,

Miss Abbott

PS – Don’t forget that tomorrow is graduation rehearsal at WKHS.  You need to be in the auditorium by 9:00am.  You do NOT need to bring your cap and gown.  You DO need to bring your commencement agreement if you haven’t already turned it in.  (If you need a copy you can download it fromthe Worthington Kilbourne website.)  I will warn you – rehearsal is a relatively boring experience (except for looking at your school pictures each year – I was peeking at many of your photos earlier this week and those were very cute and entertaining).  I’d suggest you consider bringing something quiet to do (read, draw, play on your phone, etc.) while you are waiting.  Ultimately, the practice will be worth it so that you can be sure you will have a positive and memorable commencement ceremony on Sunday.  And you get free pizza at the end of the practice.  :-)