One of the very first things I did on my last day of high school was eat a glazed donut. This was done on the turf as members of the senior class gathered to watch the sunrise; although, if not for the clouds in the sky gradually turning a brighter shade of gray, we would not have known the sun had risen. 

At that moment, it was difficult for me to comprehend that it was the last day of high school, the culmination of my education in Forest Hills.

A piece of advice I have heard repeatedly throughout my high school experience is this: high school goes by faster than you think, so enjoy every moment while you can. And while that statement is often repeated because it holds true for so many, it was quite the opposite for me. I did not think high school went by fast.

Upon reflection, I think it passed by extremely slowly—the time spent in classroom after classroom measured by how often I glanced at the clock. But this is just my current perspective as a graduating senior, exiting a school year that was half on Zoom and with mental whiplash from switching to a different schedule nearly every week. My increasing exhaustion was seemingly inversely proportional to the speed at which time passed.  

I do sincerely treasure the moments from my former three years: the football games, dances, and various other events that I can say I truly enjoyed.

Through facing alterations and cancelations in these many traditions as well as those especial to seniors, I have acquired a profound ability to appreciate the little things. I found myself experiencing moments in a uniquely more passionate way this year because I never expected to be able to experience them in the first place.

While our senior class was disadvantaged in innumerable ways, I know that the resilience and mental strength I’ve gained will be perpetually advantageous to me as I grow into the world.  

I started my very last day of high school with a “sunrise.”

Several things encapsulated that morning and the essence of senior year: the gate was locked upon arrival, it was too cloudy to view the actual sun rising, and it was rather cold and too early to properly function. 

But a plethora of other memories originated that morning, more as the day continued, and these are the ones I will remember instead: I sat surrounded by blankets and my friends for the last time in school, laughed at stories about Ada Elementary talent shows, received a nearly overwhelming amount of love from The Central Trend staff, and ate a glazed donut.