Column by Emily Demel, Flyer staff

Walking in on the first day of freshman year you are bombarded with upperclassmen welcoming you to the wonderful world of high school. You are told the years go by fast, but it is hard to fathom that if you blink all the sudden you’re walking in those doors again for your last, first day of school.

Well it happened, I blinked. I closed my eyes and here I am, my fourth and final year of this crazy roller coaster ride we call high school. I am overcome with different emotions. I see my best friend so desperate to finish the year and go off to college, but here I am wanting to stay safely in these walls I’ve come to know of as a second home.

I am so thankful for all the memories I’ve made and lessons I have learned. As a freshman I was scared to stand out, speak up or be different. Now I embrace it. I am a nerdy, honors student and so proud of that fact. I am involved all around the school in different activities. I am awkward and different but that is so much a part of what has made my high school career unbelievably fun, it has allowed me to make friends from all groups of our class. And shaped me in ways I thought never were imaginable.

It is so hard to imagine graduation day and leaving this place forever, but this is a reality I must come to accept and in the meantime I am determined to take this year and embrace it. Living for every day and not just the weekend.