Reader, we made it.

Like many others, I came in as an anxious freshman expecting the worst from the cautionary horror stories passed on by the upperclassmen, and I’m probably guilty of passing on these stories when I cathartically rant to my classmates about all the homework or impossible-to-decipher tests for a class. But ultimately, I am completely grateful to have been able to attend a school that prioritizes education and has created so many opportunities to explore whatever interests I can think of.

There are so many things I’ve learned to love about this school.

I love being able to enjoy my lunch under the warm sun with gorgeous greenery planted everywhere and seeking sanctuary in my teachers’ air conditioned classrooms as the blistering summer heat rolls in.

I love leaving Quiz Bowl meetings at 7:00 p.m., thinking it’s super late and dark out, yet still hearing the Percussion Ensemble and Theatre students hard at work outside.

I love volunteering to scrape off the grimy, dried acrylic paint in the art classroom sink with old palette knives while procrastinating on my artwork and bonding with my classmate who’s at the sink for the exact same reason.

I love the strangely elevated chairs in the library that make me feel like a royal scholar when I’m working on homework, or like a panelist at a convention when I’m catching up with friends.

I love all the crazy cool and insanely talented people I’ve had the pleasure of encountering here.

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Last semester when asked about my plans after high school, I was at a loss for what to put down and finally wrote down just 5 words: I hope to attend college. It scared me a little bit, pinning my future to a definitive goal, even if it was just a short blurb in a brochure people would probably forget about. And though I am still uncertain of what exactly it is I want to do, the fear of what’s to come has evaporated into something like excitement.

It’s a realization that’s on loop in my head: I’m excited to start college? I’m excited to start college. I’m excited to start college! Go Bears!!

…

I finally would like to say a very huge thank you to all my teachers who have each taught me different life lessons; to the strangers who’ve exchanged passing compliments with me in the hallways; to the seat partners who have passed notes and laughed too loudly with me during class; to the amazing friends I’ve made here; and of course, to my family who has put in consistent effort and guided me to where I am now. You have truly made my high school experience.

I don’t feel like this would be a proper Senior Column unless I crammed some advice in (both original and collected wisdom from others), so here goes. You’ll have so much freedom in college, so make the most of your experience in college. Challenge yourself, but don’t take classes you’re not interested in, especially AP classes. Take whatever you’re drawn to the most; if theatre is your passion, do that, or if you want to try a new instrument in Orchestra, this is your sign to go for it. And most importantly, don’t leave bananas or loose sauce packets in your bag unless you want them to explode on you.