What Seniors Really Think About Graduating

This ceremony brings to a close a final memorable year for the graduates of Rockville High School, class of 2017.

This was a year full of firsts and lasts for all of the students. They have many unforgettable memories that will stick with them forever.

But the year is not quite over yet, and Class President, Chris Perrone, promises that graduation will “be a hilarious time for everyone.” He is very excited to give his speech, which he says will include special effects, laughter, and a few tears.

Each graduate will be sharing the same palpable mix of emotions during the ceremony. Everyone agreed to a common consensus that they will all miss their friends that they have formed unbreakable bonds with over these last four years.

Giavanna D’Avolio has only been in the Rockville community for two years, but she said that she will miss how welcoming and accepting her classmates have been to her.

“It was very strange because everyone was smiling at me and I’m not used to that.” She said when describing her first days at Rockville High School. “There are really good people here. I will definitely miss more about it than not miss.” She said.

But as many high school students have learned, some friends are not forever. Jubilee Echedarria’s biggest take-away from high school is that you need to stay focused on yourself and your school work.

“Friends aren’t really everything. Things happen and then you’re all by yourself. So stick to yourself and focus.” She said.

The road to graduation has not been a smooth one, and as many seniors know, a lot of hard work had to be put in to get to this point.

“I’m really excited to graduate because at one point I was doing really bad junior year and they told me I wasn’t graduating on time so I was really emotional.” Said Echedarria. “I really worked hard this year and now I’m graduating on time.” She said.

Whether it was going to summer school or taking academically challenging classes, everyone worked hard to be able to walk with their fellow classmates on this special day.

“If you want to get ahead and you want to be the best you that you can be, then it literally all comes straight from inside you.” Said D’Avolio. “If you conform to your environment, you’ll be stuck with the majority, but if you want to be the minority, in a good sense, then you really need to find what drive you and what motivates you, and that comes from inside you.” She said.

But it was not just the solo work of the student’s that got them here. High school is a team effort ranging from the teachers to parents and even the community.

“I think it is a big accomplishment for all of the students that graduate.” Said Perrone. “I think people should remember that it took many different people to get them to this place, not just themselves, such as teachers, parents, siblings, and friends. So I think it’s a team effort to get everyone across the stage, so it should be a team effort to finish it.” He said.

And I would not want to end my high school career any other way than with the people that helped me get to this point.

But as the end comes closer, there are some things that scare all of us.

“It’s just, change, in my life that I’m really not used to.” Said Mechelle Horelick, another graduating senior. “I’m so used to just being in high school, that the thought of being and adult stresses me out.”

“I will miss how laid out your life is and how routine everything is is.” Said D’Avolio. “Leaving high school is very uncertain and not a safe feeling.” She said.

Most seniors can agree to the thought of breaking routine for the past four years is unsettling, but with change comes great adventures.

A new school in a new town or city means that there are so many places to explore and so many people to meet.

But before we step out into the real world, we will all be enjoying our last days at Rockville High School and saying goodbye to some unforgettable four years.

Photo by Emily Harrison