As their last chapter of highschool comes to an end, seniors across Marriotts Ridge pause to reflect on the rollercoaster ride of experiences the past four years. Intense emotions rise as they reminisce about the challenges they faced, the accomplishments they celebrated and the valuable lessons they learned along the way.
“I’m super excited for graduation but also really nervous because the future is unpredictable and I’m leaving the people I’ve known for the past four years of my life. I’m a tiny bit grateful for everything I’ve gotten the chance to experience,” senior Aleena Mirza shared.
In the few weeks left before graduation, a mix of emotions overwhelms seniors. Some feel a sense of nostalgia, recalling the innocent excitement of their freshman selves as they began their highschool experience through a pixelated screen. Others remember the awkwardness of sophomore year, the year of transition marked by the return to in-person learning and the lifting of the mask mandate. Then came junior year, arguably the toughest of them all, where Mustangs dealt with the intensity of exams, beginning college applications and personal growth. Now, as they reach closer to adulthood, they realize they’ve finally become the people they once admired when they first stepped foot into high school.
“I think as a person I’ve grown a lot in highschool. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and hopefully learned from them,” senior Minji Kim said.
Looking back, seniors acknowledge the highs and lows that shaped their high school experience. They remember the friendships they made in classes, attending after school clubs and the spirit filled events the school always put together. But they also recall the moments of doubt and heartbreaks, as well as the many setbacks. Despite the challenges, each year brought new opportunities for growth in academics and as a person. They recognize that the journey was not always simple, but it was definitely worth it.
“One of the big things about highschool is that you grow and you become a better person. With that, I became a people person. I became someone that people want to talk to and want to be friends with,” senior Samarth Apte remarked.
As they start to focus on the future, seniors carry with them the lessons learned during their time at Marriotts Ridge. They’ve honed their academic skills, discovered their passions and cultivated the perseverance to move past any conflict. With these tools, they embark on the next chapter of their lives with a sense of purpose and anticipation. Whether they’re headed to college, the workforce, or pursuing other dreams, they know that the experiences and relationships made in high school will guide them as they navigate all aspects of adulthood.
“I’d say get into the experience and find things. Find people who you want to hang out with and find activities that you want to do. At the end of the day you want to look back at highschool and just think that you had fun and got something out of it,” senior William Marbray explained.
To the underclassmen who will soon step into their shoes, seniors offer advice gained from their own experiences. They encourage them to embrace every opportunity, cherish the friendships they make, and never underestimate their own potential. They remind them that high school is not just about grades or achievements and they should enjoy the time that they have. To the upcoming seniors, they urge them to savor every moment, stay focused, and to approach every situation with a positive attitude.
“I think I’ve gotten a lot out of my past 4 years. I’ve learned a lot of lessons that I’ll take in my life and met some people who I hope to call life long friends,” senior Marbray shared.
As their high school years come to an end, seniors bid farewell to the memories, laughter and tears. Though they may leave behind the familiar halls and faces, they carry with them the lessons learned and the relationships made during their time here at Marriotts Ridge. As this chapter ends, they begin the next chapter of their lives, and they do so with much gratitude for the past 4 years.