Final Farewell

Hello, inspiring minds! Senior year is a bittersweet mix of excitement, pressure, and nostalgia. It's a time to savor every moment, every last "first," and every rite of passage. And so, this is the final post of the School Series: High School Edition. If you’ve been following along, we’ve journeyed through different years, each with its own lessons—whether it was navigating the uncertainty of freshman year, discovering who we were during sophomore year, or tackling the challenges of junior year, where everything seemed to get a little more serious. From those early days of figuring out which lunch table to sit at, to the prom preparations and final exams that felt like both the end and the beginning, each post has been a chapter in a much bigger story.

We’ve laughed at the awkward moments, learned from the struggles, and celebrated the triumphs that came with each milestone. If you’ve missed any of those posts, you can catch up on Freshman Year—In the Bubble, Sophomore Year—Easy Does It, Junior Year—Amongst the Crowd, e we reflect on the journey that’s led us to this moment of transition.

Now, as another school year begins, I want to close this chapter with a reflection on growth, endings, and the beauty of looking back. Each year brought its own challenges, but they all led me to where I am now—looking forward to the next chapter with gratitude and anticipation

Before the school year began, we had senior yearbook photos. The day was hot and I didn’t put much thought into how I looked. I regret that now. The photo turned out fine, but it’s a reminder of the version of myself trying to stay out of the spotlight.

If you’re not fond of being in photos, that’s fine. But take my advice: put in a little effort. Those pictures last forever. You might wish you had more of them one day—more memories captured in time.

Senior pictures were also a big thing back then. I skipped those too, but now I see they’re more than just for social media or graduation cards. They’re keepsakes—tiny snapshots of who you were as you transitioned from childhood to adulthood.

I also returned to Cross-Country after a year away. It felt like reconnecting with a part of myself I’d missed. Our team had changed, but the energy was new and exciting. We did well, even making it to Regionals and Sectionals. It was one of those seasons that just felt right—solid and fun.

But when the season ended, I was heartbroken. Our coach recognized another senior with a jersey, but I was overlooked. It stung. Not because I needed recognition, but because I had worked so hard. Sometimes life isn’t fair, and sometimes you don’t get the jersey. But what you do get are the memories, friendships, and the knowledge that your effort mattered.

Outside of sports, I was in band, playing the clarinet. I wasn’t passionate about marching, but one moment changed my view. During a performance, I blanked. For a few seconds, I froze. But no one called it out, and I finished the routine. That’s when I realized: perfection isn’t the goal. Growth is. No one remembers the mistake; they remember how you move forward.

Senior year was full, but in the best way. It was busy and tiring, but I was proud of the person I was becoming. You don’t need to do everything in senior year. Do what matters to you. Be present. Make the memories count.

The Final Chapter Unfolds

As senior year rolled on, traditions began to pile up, each one marking the passage of time. There was spirit week, pep rallies, the senior sunrise, senior skip day, and of course, the prank. But perhaps the most memorable tradition was homecoming. That year, homecoming was unlike any other. I threw myself into it — the themes, the float building, the excitement of the game, and, of course, the dance. It felt like a massive celebration, a tribute to everything we had experienced together over the years.

That’s the magic of senior year — even the smallest moments take on a special significance. Every “last” becomes a bit heavier, filled with a sense of finality that makes it all feel a little more important. Those final pep rallies, the last game, the last moments of walking through those familiar halls — they aren’t just events. They’re milestones.

And here’s my advice: don’t hold back. Go to the game. Wear the silly outfit. Take all the pictures, no matter how awkward they might feel at the time. Make the TikToks. Dance like nobody’s watching. Say yes, even when you’re tired. Because this year, this moment, is fleeting. And you won’t get it back.

Academically, senior year wasn’t easy. College applications loomed like a shadow, always there in the back of my mind. I remember rewriting essays at 1 a.m., checking my email for updates, second-guessing every decision. It was a lot. But the biggest lesson I learned during that time? Give yourself grace.

It’s easy to get lost in the pressure of it all — the grades, the deadlines, the future. But it’s important to ask for help when you need it. Start early. But also remember, your worth isn’t tied to what school you get into or what path you follow. It’s okay to change your mind, to not have everything figured out. You’re allowed to evolve.

And then, almost before I could catch my breath, graduation arrived.

The cap and gown. The tassel flip. The awkward walk across the stage. It felt like a dream, surreal and fast-paced. I looked out into the crowd, saw the faces of family and friends, and I thought: Wow. I made it.

As a freshman, four years felt like an eternity. As a senior, it felt like four seconds.

Senior year reminded me that endings are never just endings. They’re beginnings in disguise.

Yes, the goodbyes are hard. Yes, the emotions will surprise you. But the lessons you learned, the friendships you made, the laughter you shared — those are yours forever. They stay with you. And when you look back, those are the things you’ll cherish most.

So, to anyone reading this who’s facing their own final chapter — whether it’s senior year or a different kind of goodbye — take a moment. Take many moments. Pause. Reflect. Cry when you need to. Laugh a lot. Say the things you want to say. Be present. It all matters, even the messy parts, especially the messy parts.

This may be my final farewell to high school, but it’s not the end of learning, of growing, or of creating new stories. The journey is far from over. It’s just getting started.

Thank you for joining me through this series. I hope it has helped you feel seen, inspired, or maybe even just a little more prepared for the path ahead. Wherever that path leads — remember, you’ve got this.

No matter who you are, what social-economic status you have, where you are in life, none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. We have all embarrassed ourselves at some point in life. We are human. Over the course of my life, I have learned that the best reaction when I do something embarrassing is to laugh it off. Most people don’t even notice. And if they do, so what? Things happen. Laugh it off. I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry about it too much.

For the homecoming dance, I wasn’t planning on going. Dances aren’t really my thing. I had also gone to the homecoming dance every year so I didn’t consider it to be anything special during senior year. Well, a few days before, I learned my friends were going and I didn’t have any other plans so I decided to go. However, since I wasn’t planning on going, it meant that I would need to find a dress asap. The one I found was black with some gray. It was strapless.

Well I was at the dance taking pictures with friends, I noticed two other people with the same dress. I was mortified again. I wasn’t confident in my high school years. Oftentimes, I was insecure. For the remainder of the night. I felt uncomfortable and wish I would’ve just stayed home. If you are ever in that situation, it is not a big deal. It may feel like it, but it’s not. My advice is to still enjoy the night. Don’t let something small ruin your night. Trust me, it’s not worth it. For instance, today if I saw someone wearing the same things, I wouldn’t care. I’d take a picture and make a joke about it. It wouldn’t bother me as it did during my senior year. Now a rite of passage of sorts that I recommend participating in during senior year, is TP’ing during homecoming week. As long as it’s only toilet paper (not eggs) and it doesn’t damage someone’s property, I see it as all in good fun.

I turned 18 years old a couple months into the school year. This is important because it allowed me to vote in the presidential election. Now I’m not going to go into my beliefs or the party I feel best fits those beliefs, but I do have to say that politics are important. Voting for who you think is best fit to run the country for their term is also important. It’s a right so use it. Meanwhile, one of the classes I took in 12th grade was geography. In the class, we took some kind of political test. It told you at the end where you were on the political scale. The result I had was Libertarian. I was surprised at the time. I didn’t quite understand what it stood for nor did I see myself as someone who was Libertarian. From Libertarianism.org, it states that Libertarianism is “the belief that liberty is the most important political value. Almost everyone wants freedom for themselves, but a libertarian also seeks to protect and expand the freedom of others”.

In regard to other classes that I took senior year, there was economics which was a requirement. In order to graduate, you had to take economics and pass it. I believe we had three chances to pass. Anyway, the class discussed the branches of the government, stocks, and the constitution. I feel as though at the time, I understood stocks a little bit more. We had a project on a website where we were given so much money to then try to buy certain stocks and increase our value. Although I wasn’t successful at the time, it was a great hands-on learning experience. As for the end of semester exam, I barely passed. I had the option to re-take but I didn’t want to do worse so I took the grade I had. Again, because I was a bit young and dumb at the time, I didn’t re-take it. I didn’t see the benefit of taking it again. If you are in the position to be able to re-take any exam, no matter what it is, my suggestion is to re-take it. The only exception is if an exam takes the new grade as the final grade. Otherwise, you can only improve from there and you are more likely to get a better score because of the experience you have. You know what to expect going into in the next time.

At my school, one of our senior trips include a field trip to Medieval Times. Medieval Times looks like a castle from the outside as it is based off of Medieval Times. Once inside, you can adventure around the take pictures, explore the Arms of the Hall. Then, you are assigned a color(s) representing your knight. After passing through the doors, it looks like an oval shaped arena. The are certain sections and sit down in the area that is of your color. For instance, senior year, were red. We had the red knight.  As we ate a four course meal with our hands, we spectated the knights battling it out on the floor. At the end, whichever knight was crowned victor, one person would be selected in the audience. Although I don’t remember which knight was victorious, it was a fun, fantastic experience to do with friends. The food was good too.

As for another senior trip, we went on a boat. I don’t recall the name of the boat but it was a double deck boat. We went downtown for it which was a 45 mins to an hour bus ride. It was outside of Navy Pier. As we walked up the ramp to the first floor of the boat, they took a picture of your group. Then, there food and drinks inside as well as a dance floor. On the outside, you could stand around. My friends and I took most of our pictures outside. And then, on the top, you could sit down and take more pictures. It was a fantastic time. The weather was gorgeous that day and so was the lake. Although the ride was a little bumpy from time to time, it was smooth sailing.

Unfortunately, senior year isn’t all fun and games. Your main focus should still be doing well in classes, getting good grades, and graduating. But another important step is to figure out your next step after school. It looks different for everyone. For some, it could mean taking some time off to save money for college, taking a gap year to travel, going straight into the workforce, or getting into college. Whatever the next step for you is, make sure to plan accordingly. For example, I always dreamed of going to college. I was interested in going to or at least trying to get into one of the Ivy League schools. At the same time, I was also intrigued by schools in Texas. Growing up, I would typically spend two weeks visiting family in Texas. I loved the hot weather and really enjoyed the atmosphere. And then, another option was going to a college that offered Cross-Country. I had been recruited a little bit and there were a couple schools that offered scholarships. Overall, I knew I wanted to attend college but I was unsure of which direction to follow. I didn’t have a plan course of action.

If I could go back, that is something I would change. Also, I would recommend looking into colleges anytime in high school, not only Junior and Senior year as I did. It’s never too early to figure out what you want to do next in life. Even if you aren’t planning to go to college after high school, I recommend still looking into it, speaking to students at the campus, finding out about scholarships. There is so much you could learn. If it is the financial hardship that hinders you from attending college, there are so many scholarships out there, there’s paid internships, summer jobs, part-time/full-time jobs. You could take classes at your own pace. It’s not a race.

Finding the Beauty in Imperfections

It’s funny — you go through high school thinking everything matters so much. Whether it’s your outfit, your social status, or what people think of you, it all feels like life-or-death in the moment. But looking back, the things I worried about seem so small. Those embarrassing moments? They’re just part of the story. They don’t define you, and they definitely don’t last.

Take the whole dress fiasco at Homecoming — sure, I was mortified at the time, but looking back now, I can laugh about it. I realize now that if I hadn’t been so focused on how I looked, I might’ve noticed just how much fun I was having with my friends. And that’s really what matters, right? The people you’re with and the experiences you share.

That’s the thing about senior year — it’s messy, unpredictable, and full of little moments that feel huge at the time but fade into the background as you move forward. The key is learning to embrace the imperfections. Whether it’s wearing the same dress as someone else or feeling out of place at a dance, it’s all part of the adventure. The beauty comes from how you react to it, and more often than not, you’ll laugh about it later. So don’t sweat the small stuff. Just enjoy the ride.

Speaking of enjoying the ride, another senior-year tradition that I’ll never forget was TP’ing during Homecoming week. It’s the kind of harmless prank that doesn’t hurt anyone and ends up being one of those inside jokes you and your friends laugh about years later. It was a little chaotic, but in the best way. Sometimes, those spontaneous moments of fun are the ones that make you feel the most alive. So yeah, get a little messy. It’s a rite of passage.

Turning 18: A New Kind of Freedom

Turning 18 was a game-changer for me. Not only did it mean I could legally vote (and let me tell you, voting felt empowering), but it also opened my eyes to the bigger picture. It’s one of those milestones that signifies the shift from high school to adulthood — suddenly, you have a voice in the direction of the country. And while I won’t dive into politics here, I will say that it made me realize how important it is to use your voice. Whether it’s voting, speaking up for something you believe in, or just making decisions for your future — the world is waiting to hear from you.

The Power of Second Chances

Not everything about senior year was carefree fun. I took classes that challenged me, and some of them, like economics, were a real struggle. I didn’t always excel, and I definitely didn’t take every opportunity to re-test and improve. Looking back, I see that the fear of failing — or the belief that I couldn’t do any better — held me back from pushing myself harder. My advice? Take the second chance. Don’t shy away from it. Even if you think you won’t do better, just the experience of going through it again can make a huge difference. You have nothing to lose but an opportunity to improve.

And if you fail? Laugh it off. You’ll have plenty of chances to try again, and each time you do, you get a little bit stronger. There’s no shame in trying again — in fact, it’s one of the best things you can do.

More Than Just a Fun Trip

While senior year was full of traditions and trips — like the Medieval Times outing or the boat trip on the lake — those moments were more than just distractions from school. They were opportunities to bond with people who’d become a big part of my life. There’s something about sharing an experience with friends, whether it’s eating with your hands at Medieval Times or laughing on the top deck of a boat, that makes you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.

It reminded me that life isn’t just about the destination — it’s about the journey. It’s about the people you meet, the lessons you learn, and the moments you share. Even those bumpy, unpredictable moments.

Senior Year: A Time to Plan, But Also to Reflect

It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement of the end of high school. But the reality is, senior year is a time to take stock of your life and your future. For me, I was torn between different options for college — Ivy League schools, schools in Texas, and the possibility of running Cross-Country with a scholarship. It was an overwhelming time, filled with uncertainty.

Looking back, I wish I had planned earlier. I wish I had researched more schools sooner. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Don’t let the pressure to have your future planned down to the last detail hold you back. The journey is about discovering who you are, what you want, and making choices based on what feels right for you — not based on what you think is expected of you.

And if you don’t know exactly where you’re headed, that’s okay too. You have time. And trust me, you’ll get there. The most important thing is to keep moving forward, even when you’re not sure where you’re going.

Choosing What’s Right for You

When I chose the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, I wasn’t choosing it based on what others thought. I chose it because it felt like the right fit — small, with a strong athletic program, and close enough to home that I didn’t feel overwhelmed. It taught me an important lesson: Only you know what’s best for you. Don’t let anyone’s opinion sway your decisions. Whether it’s about college, a job, or any other part of your life, your journey is yours to create.

And then there’s prom. Oh, prom. It’s the one event everyone talks about. My senior prom was a blast. The hotel with its pyramid shape, the dance floor, the group photos, and the limo ride — it was a night full of laughter and memories that I’ll cherish forever. Even though I had already experienced prom once before, senior year felt different. It was a celebration of all the highs and lows of those four years, and it felt like a proper send-off to the chapter we’d all been living.

Wrapping It Up: Embrace the Journey

Looking back, senior year wasn’t just about graduation and the big events — it was about growth, learning to navigate the messiness of life, and finding confidence in who I was becoming. The mistakes, the laughter, the moments of uncertainty — they all contributed to the person I am today. And while the end of high school feels like a major milestone, remember this: It’s just the beginning.

Whatever comes next, know that you have everything you need inside of you. The world is waiting. And you’ve got this.

he Post-Graduation Transition: Learning from the Unpredictable

After the thrill of graduation and those bittersweet goodbyes, the next step is something most of us aren’t quite prepared for—life after high school. It sounds simple enough, right? You're done with tests, prom, and all the things that felt like the "end" of something important. But in reality, it’s just the beginning.

The summer after graduation felt like a limbo of sorts. Graduation parties came and went. It was the usual mix of fun and awkward moments—running into people you hadn't spoken to in a while, trying to fit into the new dynamics of friendships that were shifting before your eyes. But through it all, I began to understand something crucial: life after high school isn’t a set path. It’s more like a collection of choices and opportunities that you can either embrace or hesitate to take.

It was during that summer that I realized something significant. Graduation wasn’t just about closing the high school chapter—it was about opening up to a world of possibilities. You don’t always know where you're going, and that's okay. What's important is that you keep moving forward, taking every experience as an opportunity to grow.

The Power of Perspective: Change, Choices, and Challenges

Reflecting back on my high school days, I know that many things didn't go according to plan. I didn’t get into every college I applied to, and I didn't finish every application I started. But that’s the thing about life—you don’t need to have every answer or every perfect moment figured out before taking that next step. When it comes to figuring out what comes next, sometimes it’s the road less taken that turns out to be the most rewarding.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned during that transition was from a conversation I had with a family friend. They told me: “Don’t chase perfection, chase experience.” You’ll never know what doors will open unless you push a little. And looking back, I can honestly say that the decisions I made—even the ones that felt like mistakes—are what have shaped who I am today.

Whether it was choosing a smaller university or getting involved in things outside my comfort zone, those decisions taught me that there’s no "one way" to go about life. The same goes for friendships—some fade, some grow stronger. It’s not the end of the world. The best part? You get to make new ones, create new connections, and most importantly, evolve as a person.

Remember the Small Stuff, Celebrate the Journey

I remember spending endless nights worrying about whether I’d made the right choices. Would I regret not pushing harder for the Ivy League? Would I feel like I missed out on the big opportunities? But looking back, it’s the small, seemingly insignificant moments that made the journey worth it. From late-night study sessions to random road trips with friends, from silly prom memories to sitting on the lawn at graduation day, these were the things that made everything real.

In the end, high school was just a brief chapter of a much bigger story. And although it might have felt like everything at the time, it was only the beginning.

So, whether you're currently in high school, about to graduate, or already walking through the door of the next phase, here's the reminder I wish I had known: It's all about the experiences—both the highs and the lows. Embrace them, laugh at them, learn from them, and move forward with confidence. You are not defined by the mistakes you make or the moments you wish you could change.

Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation

Before I wrap up, I wanted to share some words of wisdom from people who've been through this and have lived to tell the tale:

Beth, a fellow high school alumna from the class of '92, shared this:

"Do your best, but remember, high school is just the beginning of 'you'—you are not meant to peak in high school."

And from Gary:

"Learn a skill and read as much as you can. Also, listen and respect your parents."

Wrapping It Up

So, as I look back on my high school years and the lessons I've learned, it all boils down to this: Life will be full of moments you can’t predict, and how you handle them will define who you become. Your journey doesn’t end after graduation; it’s just one chapter in an ongoing story. Keep growing, keep laughing, and keep exploring.

The best part? You’re only just getting started.

As a signature of my blog, I like to end each post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness”. There is no such time as the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***