On my first day of school here at Arcadia High School (AHS) I was beyond nervous since I had just moved to Arcadia. I was expecting to not make friends and prepared to sit alone at lunch. I even had a book in my backpack, ready for me to look at as I spent time agonizing over my lack of friends. But during the very first class I went to I made plans to eat lunch with someone. Today, as a senior, I am lucky to have wonderful friends I have gained through the classes I have taken at AHS, and I am always guaranteed a spot with them at lunch. 

While in middle school, I would’ve shied away from talking to my classmates, my experience as someone who was new to the Arcadia Unified School District taught me how to adapt and befriend new people. In the places I was able to meet new people, I was also able to learn new things. The classes I have taken provided me with knowledge that I will carry with me throughout my life. Learning about history and analyzing stories in English have given me a lot of perspective that I can apply to life. 

Moving away from Arcadia and starting my time as a college student feels bittersweet. While I’ll miss a lot of these experiences, I’m excited to create new memories. But first, I want to remember the familiar parts of my life here at AHS that I’ll miss.

I’ll miss the walk to the school in the morning. 

I’ll miss arriving at school early in the morning, excited as I turn the corner to see my friends waiting for me.

I’ll miss the breeze that I feel as I sit outside the library writing this.

I’ll miss going to my high school classes everyday. 

I’ll miss eating lunch with my friends.

I’ll miss waiting for my friends by the gate of the APES garden everyday after school. 

I’ll miss the walk to the library. 

But I won’t dwell on it too long, because I know I am going to create new routines to miss, and while they won’t be the same as the ones I have created in high school, I’ll appreciate them nonetheless.