The last four years of life have given me many happy memories. While I travel toward the final days of my high school experience I find myself looking back with a sense of retrospective awe.

The good times as well as the bad ones come to my mind almost instantly. I think of my friends, who never ceased to put a smile on my face even when my heart was downcast. I think of the Friday night lights, which basked my team in glorious white even if we failed to win the game. I think of my brilliant teachers, who pulled the very best out of me even when I did not want to give them my best.

I now realize that this school gave me many gifts over the years. The trials and pleasures I experienced have shaped me not only as a student, but as an individual.

I recall an especially challenging situation during my junior year resulting from my choice to take Trigonometry and Precalculus class independently. The course required not only my entire mathematical capacity, but a healthy dose of determination as well.

After struggling through countless nights of stressful homework and frustrated confusion, I eventually ended the year with a B in the class and a great feeling of accomplishment within me. Feeling this accomplishment was well worth the long hours, and continues to stand as a source of inward pride.

I also received the opportunity to challenge myself in realms of academics of which I previously knew nothing. I participated in video productions, journalism, drama and art.

Journalism especially helped me expand my understanding as I learned more about theater review, news reporting techniques, and writing. The class not only improved me as a writer, but also added a fun and adventurous aspect to my high school career. All of the other electives grew my understanding in similar ways.

But in the end I can say that this high school journey is but a small segment of my entire life. I look forward to that which lies ahead of me, far more than I look back to that which lies behind. The opportunity to understand the past and look toward the future makes this time of transition that much more special.

Like most of my classmates I know that next year will bring on a new set of challenges. I myself am a member of the United States Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program, and I will leave for basic training in January.

I find it ironic that the Marine Corps flag has an eagle on it, because it is almost like I will be taking something of my school?s eagle heritage along with me. It is almost as if this next stage is but a continuation of the current one.

No matter what happens in the future, one thing remains clear to me: that God rules all things. Christianity is a strong part of our school?s great heritage, and it is not something to be forgotten or laid aside. I by no means believe that I accomplished anything except that which God gave me the power to perform. Because he led me through high school I know that he will lead me through all things; through all stages.

His will remains the sole ambition of my future, the only concern of my present, and the greatest joy of my recent past. He is, as the Marines put it, ?semper fi?, always faithful.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @JohnNyberg. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

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