Finding words to describe my high school experience has become something I never expected to struggle with. As a freshman who believed the year 2026 would never come, then a sophomore who didn’t think of colleges, the junior who didn’t realize the little time she had left, and now the senior who is trying to use every day to make memories with her best friends.
Senior year has had its ups and downs, from our whole class getting together to failing an economics test. All together, I enjoyed every little thing. However, the biggest issue in senior year would be chronic senioritis. It is a real thing, and to any incoming seniors, do NOT trust “only 5 more minutes” in the morning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more tardies in my life, and I’ll admit that I’ve really outdone myself. Even pulling it together to write this has been difficult, since I never would have thought I would be reflecting on all of my high school career.
From AP classes to PE, I have never taken a class like Advanced Digital Media, also known as the Feather. I’ve learned to take pictures on a semi-professional level and become more confident when approaching new people. Learning to stand up for what I believe in also became a crucial skill, whether it was defending my boundaries or my team’s. While also being able to take strong criticism and feedback. These skills have built me up to become a somewhat well-rounded girl, or I guess you could say a super cool adult.
Key mentor of the Feather, Kori James, helped me apply these skills in the real world. Allowing me to attend Town Hall several times to perform interviews brought me out of my comfort zone, and I got to meet so many cool people! All I can do is thank her for all these opportunities and for seeing the best in me. I am forever grateful for her guidance and her ability to push me, although I groaned at everything.
I will admit, freshman year was the worst version of Vivian I had ever seen. I was mean, ignorant, and selfish. As harsh as that may sound, it’s all true. I’m glad to have had teachers like Hope Villines and Brian Butler, who made me aware of my wrongdoings and brought me to Christ, even if they didn’t realize the help they’d given me. I got saved in my junior year and learned to become the best version of myself. I became someone who tried to be humble, kind, and understanding. However, that made me realize the significance of standing up for myself. In my senior year, I was so obsessed with getting everyone to like me that I began putting other people’s needs above my own well-being. Villines taught me the importance of being my biggest cheerleader in certain circumstances, while Butler taught me the importance of faith and moral equity. Their guidance has helped me achieve who I am today.
Throughout my high school career, I did cross country, soccer, and beach volleyball. Fresno Christian soccer has given me so many memories, friends, and teaching lessons. I’ve known Meghan Connolly, ‘26, since middle school at Kastner Intermediate to now at FCS, and she’s played a pivotal role in my life. Starting soccer in 7th grade for the first time, I was terrible and never even understood how people ran with the ball. Connolly inspired me to become better, and she always encouraged me, even though I sucked. High school soccer didn’t change her spirit, and I endlessly thank her for that.
During my junior year, I had the opportunity to meet the only freshman soccer player who had grit and a determination to be the best. Trinity Bannister, ‘28, and I became close mainly due to our closeness on the field. As a goalkeeper and a center back duo, many games became dedicated to just chatting about anything while our awesome forwards, like Connolly, dominated the opposing team’s defense. Bannister became like a bonus little sister to me, and I tried my best to give her the best advice I could as she entered high school. Now that I will be graduating and leaving my sophomore behind, I pray that the rest of her high school years will be full of love and happiness. I thank her for being a great friend and teammate, and I’m so excited to see what God has planned for her.
San Diego State University has been my goal since I was in elementary school. With both of my older siblings attending, I’ve always looked up to them and knew that was where I wanted to go. Having the opportunity to attend the honors program, I can thank no one but God for His endless support and encouragement. However, I never knew I would miss high school. The bittersweet feeling of closing a chapter to open the next one is now something I’ve dreaded.
A special shoutout to Silva Emerian for dealing with my many, many tardies and absences throughout this “studious” school year. You’re the best, and I couldn’t ask for a better office manager to question my senioritis.
I want to thank my parents for, first of all, having to pay for my tuition after my countless pleas, and dealing with the teenage angst that brought new problems to every day. As well as spoiling me rotten, and never allowing me to know what the word “no” means. I love you all so much.
To Starbucks, thank you for being so yummy and making me late. The special temptation of having a drink, an awesome one at that, to hold throughout my day has become a big part of my life and my wallet. Thank you for making me a Gold Status member, even though I should be a Reserve Status, but that’s a goal for another time.
Thank you, Fresno Christian, for filling my life with so many life lessons and memories. And just like that, Vivian Cheema is signing out. Meow meow!
For more Senior Reflections, read Senior Reflection: Christian Martinez and Senior Reflection: Kyleigh Baca.
