When I was a freshman, I thought my value was measured by my grades-by the numbers on a report card, the clubs I joined, or the achievements I could list on a resume. I believed that if I wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t enough. But as I stand here now, a senior, I realize how much I’ve grown-and how much I’ve learned.
Slowly, I realized that I am made of so many different things. I am not just my grades. I am not just the clubs I’m in or the awards I’ve won. I am a collection of experiences, passions, friendships, struggles, and moments of joy. Life is more than what you do or how well you do it. It’s about who you become in the process.
High school can feel overwhelming. The pressure to succeed, to fit in, to be “the best” can cloud the real purpose of these years. I remember staying up late, staring at my ceiling, worrying about whether I was doing enough, being enough. But here’s the truth: high school is a unique chapter in your life, one that will never come back. It’s a time to explore, to make mistakes, to laugh until your stomach hurts, and to build friendships that might last a lifetime.
Some of my favorite memories aren’t the ones that would ever show up on a resume. They’re the time when we decided to decorate Mrs. Kaldahls class for Christmas, the inside jokes, or cheering on my friends at games. These are the moments that shaped me, that taught me about kindness, resilience, and the importance of being present.
So, I want to encourage each of you-let yourself have fun. Make time for those friends who make you smile, for the hobbies that bring you true joy, and for the moments that remind you that life is about connection and joy, not just achievement.
Accept yourself-fully and unapologetically. Embrace your strengths and your flaws, your successes and your failures. Because you are more than a grade, more than a title, more than a checklist. You are a person with endless potential, kindness, and worth.
Remember, the impact you have on others, the kindness you show, and the person you become are the true measures of success. So as you walk these halls, don’t just chase perfection–chase happiness, growth, and meaningful moments.
High school is a journey. Enjoy the ride. Celebrate who you are and never forget to have fun while it lasts. Because one day, you’ll look back and realize that it wasn’t the grades or the awards that mattered most–it was the laughter, the friendships, and the person you became along the way.
