Graduation season, or #gradszn as most teenagers know it, is something my younger self has always dreamed about. Just like homecoming, prom, football games, and boyfriends, I had it all planned out. I watched all of the movies related to anything about it and I was ready, or so I thought. I knew that I was going to walk across the stage, shake hands, and grab a piece of paper I had worked 12 years for. What I hadn't anticipated was everything else. As a true procrastinator I took this as an opportunity and did it all the night before.
On June 14, I raced to the mall and bought a white dress, texted my aunt an invite, google searched good food places, and freaked out. I met up with my friends the next day and we ran around our high school carrying caps, zipping up our gowns, and frantically rearranging our cords. We calmed each other down, shared disbelief, and grabbed seats on an old yellow school bus that would take us to our final adventure as high school seniors.
It was a chaotic morning.
Once we arrived, we shuffled around like cards, standing in our assigned lines for a second and then moving to share this moment with our closest friends. We waited for what felt like forever, but soon enough the music began and as I peered through a small window I could see people walking down the main aisle. My old teachers were all wearing fancy gowns and caps and being seated on center stage next to our celebrity speaker, Lauren Graham. I watched as my principal shook her hand and I laughed to myself as I held the penny I was given in my hand.
We had been given these 2017 pennies by another administrator to hand to Mr. Amico as a final "class joke." I held onto this small laugh as the teachers flung open the doors and let us enter the huge arena known as DAR Constitution Hall. I turned behind me and whispered nervously to the guy behind me "this is it."
As a quick interlude, I knew I was going to sit next to Matthew Tobin since the beginning of senior year and I was ready. I had heard from everyone that he was quiet and did not talk much. However, this was good because this meant he would be a good listener. I definitely took advantage of this, but there is no way Matthew will ever forget me and all of my stories.
Anyways, as line leader I was the first to enter and spent my time looking around me as a tried to find both my seat and my family. Listening to the ceremony was surreal and nerve racking. I remember laughing at Lauren Graham's stories, walking across the stage, and sitting back down proud and happy. I was the same person who walked across the stage, but now I had a diploma behind me.
Thank you everyone who helped me make it this far. Thank you to my parents who support me literally no matter what. Thank you to my sisters for being my permanent friends. Thank you to my family for being nearby anytime. Shout out to my cousin for fighting my bullies freshman year. Thank you to my grandma for being my ultimate cheerleader. Thank you to my aunt for coming last minute and making me laugh 24/7. Thank you to my friends for keeping me sane and happy. Thank you to my teachers because I actually learned a lot and I'm doing well at college.
Thank you to everyone.
See you soon
- Thora :)
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