Lasting Memories Mark Successful Senior Year by Paige Kelloway

I think every senior would agree that our last year at Marblehead High School has been quite the whirlwind. An interesting, busy, surprising, special, crazy whirlwind. 

Powderpuff and the progressive dinner feel like just a few weeks ago, and it is hard to believe that we will be graduating in just over a week. Moments I have looked forward to my whole high school career, or longer, have come and gone. People I was introduced to on the playground in kindergarten, ate lunch with in middle school, and presented projects with in high school have all become familiar faces. But like the moments that have passed, so will all the faces, traveling across the country to start the next chapter of our lives. However before the year is over, the class of 2012 still has a few more memories left to make.

We will all be completing our senior projects this week. I worked at the Village School with three other seniors and I honestly would not have traded it for any other project. Yes, it was a nice way to get out of school for the remainder of the year, but working with Ms. Devanney, the school’s guidance counselor, was really fun and it allowed me to explore the field of study in which I am interested. The other seniors and I got to meet and play games with many different students every day; Ms. Devanney was right when she said she did not have a redundant job. I think I am going to miss seeing the kids’ faces every day once our project is over.

Next week, the majority of the grade will be going on the annual white water rafting trip down the Penobscot River in Maine. Last year, they returned from the trip with a host of injuries among students and teachers. I trust we will all come back unscathed, though I do hope we come back with some funny stories – and with our class, I’m confident we will. It will be our first class trip since we all went to Camp Bournedale back in the sixth grade, so it is sure to be an interesting experience. 

Following the rafting trip, we have the long-awaited graduation day. Even though I have been waiting the whole year to finally graduate from high school, the fact that the day is actually almost here is incredible, and a little scary. Amidst the excitement and happiness of finally receiving that diploma, I’m sure the day will be somewhat bittersweet. 

One day when I was working at the Village School, I looked at the kids and wondered about when all of us were that small, when our biggest worry was getting to be in charge of four-square at recess. It is amazing to look back on that now as I prepare to say goodbye to a place where I have spent my whole life, and to so many people I have grown close to, whether it was a best friend I met in the first grade or a best friend I made just this year. Our class has come so far since the days on the Village School playground and I am certain we will all grow even more after we take the next big step of our lives, whatever it may be. 

Even though I told Matt I refused to write a cliché departure article and without invading Stein Corner’s sentimental area of expertise…Class of 2012: “My wish for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.”