I will always remember my mom’s first words to me before starting high school, “Remember to enjoy your time because high school will go in a blink of an eye.” Hearing those words felt a bit out of place and almost out of touch at the time, since I initially went to her panicking about the first day of school. Nevertheless, for some reason, I choose to live out the next four years with her words always in the back of my head. Looking back at my freshman self, there are no words to explain how much I’ve grown and how much I’ve accomplished. I came into James Caldwell full of nerves and excitement, and I now leave full of gratitude and appreciation for some memories and opened doors I couldn’t imagine opening on my own.
My freshman year was a mixture of positive and negative experiences. However, the positives certainly outweighed the negatives. Freshman year, I was determined to join as many clubs as possible since many people said how beneficial a club could be, especially in your first year. The first couple of clubs I joined were FBLA, Forensic Science, and Mock Trial. Though I didn’t stick with all three by the end of the year, one club that became a profound influence on the next four years for me, and allowed me to grow as a person while shaping my high school experiences, was Mock Trial.
No words can express the wonderful opportunity that Mock Trial has given me these last four years. I learned a lot about leadership, teamwork, and how to express myself during difficult times while taking on the role of being a prosecuting attorney just my first year. Mock trial had led me into an internship alongside a presiding judge at the Essex County Family courthouse, where I have continued to reside in an internship for the last couple of years. Mock Trial at James Caldwell High School has allowed me not only to find myself and grow as an individual, but has also led me into a passion that was unimaginable to me at the time, a passion within the legal profession.
While the end of freshman year was incredible, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t face my share of struggles and tough moments along the way. Still, what stands out the most are the good times, the friendships I made, the fun I had, and the unforgettable experiences that made high school feel like something straight out of a movie.
My high school journey truly has been a blessing, even through the difficult times. This final year especially brought unexpected friendships that I now couldn’t imagine ending the year without. Over these four years, I’ve learned to cherish every moment and every person, whether they stayed or moved on. One truth that has deeply resonated with me is found in Ecclesiastes 3:1:“ There is a time for everything and a season for everything.” Every challenge and every triumph I’ve faced has had a purpose, and I look back in gladness for the growth and strength each season has brought into my life.
As I reflect on my four years at James Caldwell High School, I do so with a proud smile, cherishing both joyful and challenging moments that have shaped me. Through it all, I’ve come to appreciate the greater purpose behind each experience. As I move forward into college and pursue the career of my dreams, I carry with me deep gratitude for the opportunities, support, and lasting memories this school has given me. These experiences will always remain a part of who I am. Thank you, James Caldwell High School.
