It’s honestly hard to believe I’m writing this right now. Senior year felt so far away for so long, and now it’s here—and almost over. When I think back to my freshman year, I remember how nervous I was. I didn’t know where anything was, I barely spoke in class, and I was so worried about fitting in. But over the past four years, I’ve grown a lot. I started figuring out who I am, and I actually ended up loving high school more than I ever expected.
There were a lot of ups and downs along the way, but what I’ll remember most are the people—the friends I made and the teachers who helped me grow. JCHS really became a second home to me, and it’s kind of surreal to be saying goodbye.
One thing that’s stuck with me since middle school is my love for writing. I discovered that in seventh grade, in Ms. Palma’s English class. Something about being able to express myself through words just clicked. Ever since then, writing has been my thing.
This year, I took Journalism not really knowing what to expect. I just thought, “Why not?” It ended up being one of my favorite classes. We all got really close, and the classroom felt like a little family. Writing for The Caldron was such a cool experience—I loved getting to share my thoughts and ideas with the school. Additionally, getting to work on the yearbook was such a fun and meaningful experience. I also can’t say enough good things about Ms. Callaghan. She made the class fun, supportive, and something I actually looked forward to every day. I truly recommend this class and think everyone would end up loving it just like me and my peers did.
If I’ve learned anything during high school, it’s that stepping out of your comfort zone is so worth it. Whether it’s joining a new class, talking to someone new, or just trying something different, those little risks lead to some of the best experiences. I wish I had realized that sooner and been less afraid to put myself out there.
Even though I’m excited for college at Bucknell University, I’ll always be grateful for everything JCHS has given me—the memories, the lessons, the people… all of it helped shape who I am today.
