How Do You Want To Be Remembered Upon Graduation?

Finally, the time has come for seniors to eagerly cross off the little boxes on their school planners, counting down the days until they can frolic through the doors of Lakes High School for the final time. Graduation is a week from today as the sun has been reluctant in showing its face and seniors are feeling the change in atmosphere.

Freedom is imminent.

As one of these soon-to-be-college freshman (and back to being low man on the totem pole), I often find myself wondering about what sort of impression I have made on Lakes High School. There are always the teachers’ favorites, the best athletes and those that have made major contributions to society.

But what has the average senior accomplished for their school?

Other than the mandatory activities that students are required to participate in, the answer is often not much. It’s not that the average student doesn’t achieve amazing things during their four years of high school – many do. However, it’s the things that aren’t blatantly visible that often times make the biggest impact on the school.

One of the things that I hope I have accomplished as a senior is being a good role model for both juniors and, especially, the underclassmen. Just like the upperclassmen before me, I found it a huge comfort as a freshman to see older students that I could look up to as leaders in the school. Especially in the Ignite Mentoring program (students that help freshmen transition from middle to high school) and in the activities I was involved in like choir, swimming, and water polo.

It was the seniors that I could only imagine being like one day. Hopefully, during my time at Lakes High School, I have set the bar for the future seniors to reach and exceed.

Finally, if I were to give a couple pieces of advice to those incoming seniors, these would be the most important.

First, don’t procrastinate. Really, I’ve done it, and it doesn’t work. Especially when it comes to applying for scholarships and colleges, the earlier the better was my motto.

Second, don’t limit yourself. Yes, advisory is supremely boring and feels pointless, but trust me, it’s so much easier to put some effort into it. Besides, with Advisory, and any other class you take, you will only get out what you put into it.

Last, it’s your senior year. How do you want to be remembered? The Class of 2011, I think, has definitely been at the top of the pack for best graduating class (not that I’m biased or anything). Class of 2012? You’re up to bat – see what you can make of it.