Being a Big Girl

As a little girl I always wanted to do what my big brother did. That’s how most annoying little sisters are. This was even true when he first started school, he was 5 going into kindergarten. I was 2 years old and like most 2 year olds I was being potty trained. When I found out my brother was going to school without me I was devastated. How could he just leave me at home? I wanted to go to school too. So I confronted my brother about this outrageous news and demanded an explanation. He told me that I’m not allowed to go to school because I still wear diapers. I couldn’t believe it. How could they not let me go to school just because I had to wear a diaper? But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. The next morning my mom came into my room to get me dressed and I looked at her and told her that I was going to wear underwear so I could go to Kindergarten with my brother. Mom was not happy that she then had to explain to a very determined 2 year old that even if I wore underwear I was too young to go to school. That determination has helped me make it through high school.

To survive high school at Oak Hill you have to be determined. If you’re weak you might not make it out with any sanity left. As a class we have been through some trying times. Maybe it all started when a certain football player, also known as “Big Power”, “fell” out of a stunt being performed by the cheerleaders. He hit the mat face first without even attempting to catch himself, as if his arms were tied behind his back. Then we were all quickly evacuated from the gym. I believe this moment in Oak Hill history is what set the tone for the next four years. That same fall the field hockey team had made it all the way to states. The day before the game the school lost power, but the team still needed a proper send off. So in an attempt to give them the pep rally that had been scheduled, the team lined up two by two, and awkwardly walked around the fishbowl 3 times while the students stood along the edge and watched them walk by. The efforts were somehow successful and the team won states that night for the first time in Oak Hill history. In the spring of that year many students decided to practice their right to assemble when a well liked teacher’s contract was not being renewed for the following year. The protest quickly turned into a “skip school cookout”. There was a grill, corn hole, and music being played throughout the whole parking lot. The News even came to see what all the fuss was about. Many detentions were earned that day, yet none were served. 

There were multiple water issues at Oak Hill throughout the four years we attended. There was the “Great Water Shortage”, when the well dried up and the other wells were toxic. We could not drink from the water fountains or flush the toilets. We even got to go home early because of the situation. In one of the winters the pipes froze so we couldn’t get water once again. We may not have had water in the wells but we did have plenty in the guidance hallway whenever it rained. 

Senior year was looking up when the field hockey team finally got a field at the high school after playing at Carrie Ricker for fifteen years. Unfortunately, that field had to be shared with two other teams, while a certain fall sports team got two fields to themselves. Out of respect for that team I won’t say which sport I am referring to, but I think we all know I mean football.

As you can tell, our class has endured many unusual times. But sadly even going through all of those events was nothing compared to what the last three months of our senior year would consist of. We had our last day of high school without even knowing it. We never got the chance to knowingly close our lockers for the last time, sign each other’s yearbooks, or say our final goodbyes to our teachers and friends. The class of 2020 missed out on having their senior prom, class trip, Top Ten Ceremony, class day, final year of spring sports, and a traditional graduation. If our class had not been so determined, half of us wouldn’t be where we are today. Our determination will push us to succeed in the future. When I look at our class I see future doctors, dentists, scientists, engineers, and accountants. We should all follow in my 2 years old self’s footsteps and be eager to move forward. We may not all feel ready for this next step but it is time to put on our big girl pants and stay determined as we enter the real world. 

Good luck class of 2020!

Photo by trainedcat on Foter.com / CC BY-NC