As high school students (especially as seniors) we look forward to our graduation day. We are tired of waking up early EVERY morning and basically tired of the same routine – same school, same classes, same people; it gets boring after awhile. We all can’t wait to graduate from high school and finally enjoy the college life. However, I feel like even though we wait for our graduation day with such excitement we are kind of sad when it actually arrives. The thought of high school finally being over and moving away from some of your friends and family can be kind of frightening. For those going far it is probably going to be very exciting (no more parents telling you what to do because now you are on your own), but also hard. Being on your own not only means making your own choices such as whether to stay out all night and party – it also means doing everything that your parents used to do for you. You will now be responsible for cooking your own food, doing your own laundry, and maybe even paying your own bills.

Unlike some other high school graduates, I’m staying close to home and I still feel like this transition is going to be hard. I now realize that I am going to be forced to step out of my comfort zone. I won’t be surrounded by my family and friends, and I will have to start making new friends and building new relationships. It is also going to be hard because I am accustomed to having everything done for me. I always have a good home-cooked meal and my laundry is always done for me. Even though I’m somewhat scared I am also excited for what the future holds for me. I know that it’s time for me to grow up and break away from my parents, meet new people and have fun. As an only child, I know that it is going to be extremely hard for my parents to let go. Even though I am going to be staying in the area, we all know that it is not going to be the same. After having me by their side for eighteen years they will no longer see me everyday or have authority over everything I do. I graduated on Sunday, June 7th and it finally hit me. High school is over. I definitely cried and they were both tears of sorrow and joy because I knew that I was not going to be as close to some people anymore. However, I was also proud of my classmates and myself. We made it! It took many years for us to get to this point but we did it.

Congratulations to the class of 2009!

-Erica