A week ago today I woke up and went to school at 10 AM graduation rehearsal. Everyone rolled in with sweatpants, morning hair, no makeup faces. We found our seats and practiced our walks. I listened to my principal give us guidance on how the day would go, our superintendent gave us a heartfelt speech. But it didn’t hit me yet.

We all cleared out the gym for a few hours until we had to come right back. Celebratory Chipotle, hair and makeup, and getting dressed just like that. Just like that we were rushing out the door for pictures before the ceremony telling our families see you later. I spent some time taking photos with my camera as always. It was so much fun being able to take pictures of my friends all dolled up and seeing their caps. But then we all left in such a rush. I took photos, the moment was captured, but I really didn’t settle in the fact that, that was it.

We all flooded into the cafeteria chattering before we had to line up. There was talk about parties, colleges, drama, caps getting bobby pinned. Then we actually lined up, my stomach turned inside out, upside down. I started to panic, my palms were sweaty, and yet it still didn’t seem real. All walking into a line to our seats and just like that it was almost time to speak. I have NEVER been so nervous in my whole life. The whole time I was on the stage seated I was trying to keep my cool, but man my heart was pounding so hard in my chest it was actually hurting. Then I heard “Now, your class president speaking on behalf of if we wait”. It was my turn.

I got up there and said my speech.

“Christopher Columbus,    Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart,    Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. –   These are just a few of the men and women who have made it into the books that we red in school.     They believed they could accomplish something great and make a difference. They succeeded. – They did not wait.  It seems like our whole lives are built around this waiting concept. Waiting for the first day of school, our first kiss, our first high school football game, getting our drivers licence, our senior prom, filling out college applications, the last day of school, and for this very moment. The moment that we get to walk across this stage and finish this chapter of our lives. From here we get to decide what our greatness will be, where we will make a difference.  Let’s take this time to embrace our few moments left together before we move onto the next thing. Although we try our best to prepare ourselves for what’s to come next, we never seem to be 100% prepared, but “If we wait until we are ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives” .

Shortly after I spoke it was our time to walk. We all took a picture in the back with a fake diploma, then we walked across the stage to get our actual diploma. I walked across, smiling for mom and trying to not trip.  AAnnddd then I forgot to shake hands with the last two people at the end of the stage.We shook hands with a number of people as we walked across. I haven’t seen these two guys before so naturally I didn’t recognize their face. It was hilarious and of course something had to happen in order for me to calm my nerves. It made a good picture moment though haha!

Then all was said and done. I didn’t cry. I didn’t do anything but smile. It was weird I was so expecting to cry and I even prepared by wearing waterproof mascara. It didn’t hit me till I was home all alone looking through all the memories I have made, the friends I’ve made, friends I’ve lost, and all those fun days that I have passed by so quickly. I am so beyond thankful that I went through all the good and bad with my class, I wouldn’t have wanted either way. Thank you to the Fort LeBoeuf class of 2o18 for making me who I am today. Now let’s kick ass wherever life takes us.

xoxo