Dear seniors,

The time is finally here. We are in the homestretch and the finish line is coming up fast…but not fast enough.

For most of us, the halls of West have been our second home for the last four years, and it’s safe to say that we have all grown up since we first set foot here as freshmen. We’ve met new friends and lost some in the process; we’ve joined teams, clubs, and groups and found our niche; but most importantly, we’ve made unforgettable memories and we’ve (hopefully) prepared for the next chapter in our lives.

Take a moment to think about the fact that we have survived 15 quarters of high school. That’s about 675 days; 5,400 hours; 324,000 minutes. No matter which way you look at it – it has been a long time. But in less than a quarter, we can kiss high school goodbye. No longer will we have to sit through pointless movie days or unproductive seminars. We will be (somewhat) free to do whatever we please.

For some of us, the next step is college. Whether it be a junior college, a local university, or somewhere out of state, a lot of change will be happening. Many of us will be moving out and leaving the nest – leaving behind friends, family and pets. We’ll be stepping into the real world and actually starting the rest of our lives.

These next few weeks will be the last time we’ll see some of the faces of people that we’ve grown up our whole lives with. And although we’re looking forward to walking across that stage at graduation and moving on, let’s take a step back and appreciate the time that has passed. Remember all that we’ve gone through and how much we’ve changed. Remember the good times and the bad times. Hold on to the people we’ve met and the memories we’ve made. Someday we’ll look back and realize that they weren’t kidding when they said high school goes by fast.

Much love,
Juliane