Goodbye, Class of 2023. It feels like a mere blink in the grand scheme of things, a fleeting moment in time that passed by all too quickly. The pandemic, with all its chaos and confusion, robbed me of the precious moments I could have spent with this incredible community.

I arrived at Arcadia just two months before the world plunged into lockdown, and it was only during my junior year that I truly began to form meaningful connections with my fellow students. A213 was where many of these life-changing friendships blossomed, and I will forever be grateful for the memories we shared.

But amidst the constant pressure to maintain a high GPA, participate in extracurriculars, and achieve academic success, I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. It was as if I was merely going through the motions, not truly living my life to the fullest. And then, in the blink of an eye, it was over.

I feel a sense of longing for what could have been. Looking back, I wish I had summoned the courage to be more vulnerable, to let my guard down, and express myself with the authenticity that my heart desired. I regret holding back on sharing certain memories and expressing myself in a way that felt authentic and true—I regret not reaching out to more people and not taking the time to get to know my peers on a deeper level. I was too afraid to let myself get too close, too vulnerable, knowing that our time together was fleeting and temporary. In doing so, I failed to fully embrace the present moment and all the richness and depth that it had to offer.

I feel like I missed out on so much, like there’s an empty space in my high school experience that I can never fill.

As I watch my friends experience the highs and lows of their own emotional journeys, I cannot help but feel bitter and jealous. I wish I had taken the time to fully immerse myself in the moments that now feel like a distant dream.

Thank you to all my friends who allowed me to share my weaknesses and to those who saw me through my lowest points and bad days. It was in those connections that I found solace, comfort, and understanding. Though our time together may be fleeting, the impact we have on one another is everlasting.

So here’s to the future and to a life filled with deep connections, meaningful experiences, and the courage to be vulnerable. And lastly, congrats to myself for now genuinely living.