Graduation Day

If I had to describe my graduation experience, there are many words that would come to mind such as unforgettable, special, memorable, eventful etc. Graduation day was an experience within itself, but the preceding and succeeding weeks made it even more worthwhile. While sitting with my class and listening to the crowd cheer, my anxiety grew. Things became surreal after hearing my name being called to receive my diploma. When I received my diploma, I realized I was walking into a new life. In that moment I acknowledged every obstacle that I encountered along the way as a building block and let go of it all. I was no longer a child, I had officially entered adulthood. Graduation day was the peak between the preceding and succeeding weeks. The school year past me like a thief in the night, but the three preceding weeks before graduation went by slow. I appreciated the pace because it gave me a chance to cherish my last moments with my high school class. With each passing day, our anticipation continued to grow. Graduation, summer trips, and college plans became the subject of every conversation amongst my senior class. I remember being called to the school’s auditorium for a mandatory meeting about graduation supplies. After receiving word about my pick up date, I was ecstatic.
It had seemed like yesterday I began my freshman year at Scotlandville Magnet High School being the typical freshman by looking for classes, reuniting with old friends, and asking for assistance adapting to SMHS policies and procedures. Finally, the last day for seniors came. I woke up that morning and said “This is my last day as a senior in high school.” I was beyond excited. At noon, all of the seniors rushed to the atrium to cherish their last moments as high school students. Everyone was so excited that it was nearly impossible for us to leave. After saying our goodbyes for what took almost an hour, everyone took their first step of separation. On the way home that afternoon, the feeling of no longer being a high school student began to settle in. It was the end of one chapter, and the beginning of another. On Friday, May 4, 2013, I woke up full of emotion. Graduation day had finally come. Although there was only a week long gap between my last day of high school and my graduation day, it had seemed like forever. The seniors were scheduled to arrive at the F.G. Clark Activity center at 8:00 a.m. for graduation practice to practice our entrance and exit procedures and receive further details on the event of graduation. Due to the levels of anticipation, busy schedules, emotions that were amongst my senior class etc. it took longer than expected to complete graduation practice. An hour before graduation, I sent out a 3 page text to my closest friends about everything we had been through until now, our future together, and wished them good luck with their endeavors. At the end of everyone’s text, I said “After I walk onto the other side of the stage, I hope that you join me in my life after high school.”
After hearing my name being called to receive my diploma, things became surreal. When I walked out to join my family, I had officially walked into a new life. In that moment, I had realized that life passes by faster than we think. One day we will all be on our own, thinking to ourselves "man, I miss the good old days". Of course this is a natural part of life we all have to face, and when one door closes, another one opens. I guess sometimes you just really need to appreciate what you have when you have the chance, and I'm really glad that I did.