Welcome to Reality Everyone

After four years I can finally say it is our time to graduate. While it feels like yesterday we were the freshman packed in the lobby on the first day, it also feels like a hundred years that we have been in this building; this leaky-roofed, freezing-cold, no-actual-taste-of-reality filled building. Yet, somehow through the ups and downs, and winter carnival upsets, we have made it to graduation. I didn’t make it here on my own though, so I’d to thank a few people.

I’d like to start by thanking the field hockey team here at Oak Hill. From the beginning of double sessions and play-days in midst of what would have been a laid back summer, I knew I was in for a ride. Of course it was a lot of running and agility drills that everyone gets tired of. Yes, it was everyday during the week, twice a day, with play-days on the weekends. But it was amazing to be a part of the bond we created during it all. For years the field hockey team has sat on the back burner, getting pushed behind football state titles year after year. Yet right off Freshman year, there I was, playing on the field that would make us Regional Champions for the first time ever. Thank you to Coach, for seeing my talent and drive even as a Freshman, and believing that I could hold my own on the field. Thank you, for allowing me the opportunity to play on varsity even though I didn’t have a well known sibling or famous last name. And thank you to the upperclassmen for trusting me with the responsibility to play on the varsity field. You all helped me to grow not only my skills as a player in every position except goalie, but also my determination, motivation, and resilience. The hard times that I faced as an individual, and that we all faced as a team, shaped me. They helped me learn that everything isn’t always handed to you on a silver platter; that sometimes you have to work for what you want: surprise, right?! Field hockey was one of the only aspects of high school that taught me that. I wanted that varsity position, I had to work for it. I had to put in the extra days of running to get myself conditioned even though chilling at my camp was what I would rather do, but who was conditioned? I was, because I wanted to set myself up for success.

Always set yourself up for success: even though it may not be easy in the present moment. Sophomore year field hockey season, our team turned that previous Regional Championship into Oak Hill’s first ever field hockey State Championship. The early morning Saturday practices and endless amount of time spent perfecting plays and passing, paid off. No one likes Saturday practices, or sometimes even practice at all, but look where it got us. Our communication as a team and hard work throughout the season led us past the hard times and to a victory that will last a lifetime.

I want to thank the hard times though. The times when sometimes your full efforts are not enough to please people, because they don’t want it to. Or the multiple ACL tears that knock you down for six months a piece because you’re too lanky of a person to avoid it. Let’s not forget about the people who try and null your accomplishments. Those are truly, the ones who put the icing on the cake. The ones who berated my fiancé and I at dinner for getting engaged so young. The same ones who felt the need to call his decision “stupid” for doing it at “such a young age”. Or alphabetically announcing the Valedictorian to avoid “hurt feelings” when they spent four years dealing with hurt feelings and stressful nights to get to that spot. Here’s to you: Sometimes you are not enough. Sometimes you don’t need be enough for people because they don’t deserve the effort you are giving. Do what’s best for you. The endless hours I put into physical therapy everyday to bounce back from not one, but two ACL tears, is what was best for me. Cause those two ACLs were the only thing that I blew in high school; and they helped me grow into a resilient person that reached her goals. As for the couple at the dinner: you’re too funny. We know we’re young. We know it’s not typical for an engagement to occur senior year. But we also know what we want. That we have goals of building a house and setting ourselves up financially before we get married and start our future. And whether or not you had “twenty-one years” of just dating, that is your choice. My fiancé and I are people who like commitment.

Thank you, to those who are committed. First and foremost to the educators who dedicate their time to ensure that everyone graduates. The ones who devote after hours to help the kids that want to learn and succeed. Those educators that listen to your rants everyday you go into their room. Shout out to Mr. Carney! Your efforts here at Oak Hill do not go unnoticed. Then of course we have our parents. Thank you Mom and Dad for being the emotional support system, when you couldn’t help me with geometry. I appreciate it. My friends also deserve some thanks because they have committed to a lifetime friendship with me and my crazy personality. All of you have helped to shape my high school career into something I’ll never forget.

I wouldn’t be here today without all of the hills, curves, and huge potholes in this road of high school education to reality. I’ve learned to hit the gas and push myself to make it over those hills, and to drive a little more carefully when that curve comes out of nowhere. And, well, sometimes you just avoid those potholes. They usually result in some sort of damage. After all the winds and turns in my four years here I am grateful to have come out on top and in a position to better myself in the future. The real things you learn during high school isn’t through the degree, while it helps to get one, it is the determination, drive, and pursuit of excellence that drives us. Getting an ‘A’ on that project doesn’t matter if you turned it in five months late, a job won’t keep you very long when you are five months behind on paperwork for the office. Sure, sleeping in and getting Dunkin’ is great, but not when you get fired for never being at work on time. It’s the ethics and practices that occur within high school that teach you the most.

Thank you Oak Hill and all its students for showing me what to do and what not to do. Now let’s graduate.

Photo by harry_nl on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA