Everyone says that the end of high school is bittersweet. The “lasts” come in so fast that they make your head spin, and you find yourself wishing the time went faster.
For me, senior year might have been the slowest year of them all. That extra 30 minutes of sleep in the morning made it all the more difficult to make it to school on time, and the second half of the day after lunch felt like watching paint dry (no offense, Brian Butler). Civics and Econ challenged my patience, Advanced math bewildered me, and The Feather tested many traits within me.
I didn’t find Advanced Digital Media difficult, and I loved writing and being a journalist. However, my entire tenure at Fresno Christian has been defined by not getting involved, and just by way of the conversations that happen in Room 602, everyone inserts themselves. Conversations about school events and other activities and so much more played as background noise every morning for a whole year. Then there was being on camera, making podcasts and doing photoshoots.
I would have to say, though, that I appreciated The Feather taking me out of my comfort zone. I also enjoyed putting 100% effort into a class, when at times I found my “senioritis” taking over in other subjects. I loved being able to express myself and cover topics that genuinely interested me.
Coming to Fresno Christian in 8th grade, I was not thrilled about the change. I grew up with the same people my entire life, and now I would be entering a place where I only knew my three cousins. I had a feeling that the first year would be miserable, and that I would be able to go back to public school as a freshman.
Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, that isn’t what the Lord had planned for me. I stuck it out these four years, and looking back, I can say that I’m glad I did. I was allowed to have very unique experiences like going to Europe TWICE (thanks, Kori!) and being able to start my debate club with little difficulty. I grew to appreciate the small class size and the fact that I’ve had a conversation with every single person. Every teacher that I’ve had has had a positive influence on my life, and I can say without a doubt that the staff is the part of the school that I appreciate the most.
I have seen myself change so radically over these four years, to a point where I cannot even recognize freshman year me, inside and out. I have endured so many events that have had a profound impact on my life. My house burning down sophomore year, the morning of Sadies is something I will never forget. I will always be able to recall the feeling I had looking at the home that was pretty much everything I ever wanted, being engulfed in flames. The event brought my family so much closer together, as we worked tirelessly to fix up a home less than a mile away, which beautifully represents the resilience and love that binds us together.
Looking back, I realize that every hardship I faced—every tear, every moment of uncertainty—has shaped me into someone stronger, more empathetic and more grounded. I’ve grown into someone who understands that while we can’t always control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond.
Now, as I prepare to take the next big step in my journey, I find myself filled with a mix of nerves and excitement. I’ll be continuing my education at either Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or CSU Fullerton, where I plan to major in some type of business study. It feels surreal to think about leaving behind everything familiar—taking Herndon and 168 a thousand times, meeting up with the same exact people every weekend, the version of myself I’ve become here.
Even though I don’t know exactly what the future holds, I’m learning to be okay with that. Life has taught me that unpredictability doesn’t always have to mean fear; sometimes, it just means growth. I’m excited to discover new parts of myself, to be challenged, to connect with people who come from completely different walks of life, and to figure out where I truly want to make my mark.
Whether I end up at “Poly” or “Fully,” I know this much: I’m heading into college way more sure of who I am than I was when I started high school—and honestly, that’s all you can hope for. I’m still figuring things out, and I know I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m okay with that. I’m just excited to see what’s next and to keep growing along the way.
I would like to thank Kori James for challenging me each year I had the privilege of being her student, whether in APUSH, AP Euro, or The Feather.
I’d like to thank Brian Butler for being the definition of “chill” and being the closest thing a teacher can be to a friend, while also equipping us with genuinely valuable knowledge of the Bible and walking through our lives as Christians.
Thank you to Silva Emerian for always keeping it real and supplying me with infinite tardy slips and off-campus passes.
To my parents, thank you for always expecting more out of me than I ever could have expected from myself. You’ve pushed me to aim higher, work harder, and believe in my potential, even during times when I couldn’t quite see it myself. Your high expectations weren’t about pressure—they were about love, belief, and a deep understanding of who I could become. Thank you for being my biggest supporters, my motivators, and the steady foundation I could always rely on.
Lastly, I want to thank my beautiful girlfriend, Meghan Connolly. I could probably write ten articles about the impact she’s had on my life. Remember how I said I liked how small the school was and how everyone knew each other? Well, somehow, in such a close-knit environment, our paths didn’t cross until what I believe was the absolute perfect time.
I still remember that “Halloweekend” night—the feeling I had as I went to sleep, thinking I had just met the person for me. That feeling has stayed with me ever since. I wake up every morning thankful for our connection and how you’ve brought so much joy, peace, and love into my life.
I honestly wish the whole world could see how amazing you are—not just to me but to everyone lucky enough to know you. Your kindness, strength, and ability to light up a room are things I admire every single day.
Thank you for everything, and we’re out.
For more Senior Reflections, read Senior Reflection: Rynna Silva or Senior Reflection: Julia Castiglione.
