One, two… Oh God, oh God, oh God… nine, ten… okay, breathe, you totally deserve this, so go own it… fourteen, fifteen… wow, I did it… sixteen… huh, was that all?
This post is inspired by Kyle Martin, class of 2019 valedictorian of his high school, who I came across in my dive into notable valedictorian speeches. They were each presented in their own unique way, but there was one thing in common: every one of these top of the class, over-achieving valedictorians reflected not on the college they had been accepted into or the exams they had aced, but rather the relationships they had nurtured through shared experiences.
We are steadily approaching the time for our own sentimental valedictorian speeches and although I will certainly not be giving one of my own, I took this opportunity as a chance to be reflective. I’ve come to realize that there are many things I did not choose to do, whether due to the circumstances or simply because I put it on a lower priority. And perhaps that is what allowed me to achieve all that I presently have, but also perhaps, I might have made more fond memories to look back on at this time. However, I would still not change anything about the last (almost) four years of high school.
The high school experience is truly unique to each individual, and yet, we have been brought together in the times that have been collectively special to us. This was the culmination of our childhood. It was when we began to finally realize what our niche was or at least feel upset and confused that we couldn’t. And here, we bonded over our collective lack of experience and our gradual exposure to what the real world will mean for each of us.
In the first part of my series, I mainly discussed rewiring our vulnerability to throw ourselves towards something uncomfortable. However, with this comes its counterpart: the things we leave behind. In fact, in some situations the courageous thing is to say goodbye. The necessary thing is to dust off our pants, to walk out, to turn away. Sometimes, that is what makes you strong. For us, we are at the point where we are both leaving behind and reaching forward. And for this courage, I commend each and every one of us.
However, with this strong leap towards a brighter tomorrow creeps the unsettling feeling of immense grief. A sadness that comes from realizing that we are growing up and with this, growing apart. I can only imagine how painful it will be to actually leave behind every comfortable corner we’ve known since quite literally the beginning of our lives. Part of this sting in my heart comes from the fact that I took the first half of high school for granted. As with other things, it took an entire global pandemic to realize the value of relationships and the corresponding importance of being intentional in such connections. Soon, we are not going to have the convenient meetings in the hallways in a safe, set environment. If we want our relationships to grow and stay with us over time, we need to put in concerted efforts to arrange purposeful encounters.
Through this rewired mindset, I approached my final year of high school. Ironically, if I hadn’t come to this realization, I probably would not have felt as much emotion towards the end of high school as I am now. And this brings me to my conclusion.
In hearing all of these valedictorian speeches and personally rewiring vulnerability, I have come to understand that we should be grateful for this grief we feel in leaving behind something. I like to think that this just means we have been fortunate enough to have undergone such profoundly insightful experiences that we are just not ready to let go. Blessed enough to have formed such valuable relationships that we are just not ready to say goodbye. We have found love and compassion and understanding in the people we have met in high school and this alone is so incredibly beautiful.
But in a sense, we are ready. The high school world, which seemed so incredibly large and full of possibility, was only a small, but important, but still small fraction of the rest of our lives. We (everyone single one of us) are the most ready we have ever been, whether we like to think so or not. And as we prepare to put on our brave faces and say goodbye, let us be grateful for the love we have found in each other and for the life ahead of us.
As Written by Lois 