Growing up,I always fantasized about the person I would be when I graduated from high school. When freshman year began, I told myself I would walk out of the doors of this school in four years and have made my six-year-old self proud. This idea has driven me to become the person I am today.

For three years, this was an easy task. I was never faced with pressure from my peers, I had a great group of friends, and I was excelling in and out of school. I had had an overall great high school experience.

The end of junior year rolled around, and I was incredibly excited for everything that senior year would bring. I had huge expectations for the year, and I could not wait to make memories that I was hoping would last a lifetime.

Frankly, it has not been the senior year I dreamt of, but I would not change it because of three takeaways:

Don’t lose sight of your values, even if that means loss. Growing up, my parents instilled the values of honesty and self-worth in me. I have always been a rule-follower and expected the same from those I surrounded myself with. This year, those values were challenged when the people I cared for changed, and I lost some of my best friends. I was devastated. However, through what seemed like the end of the world, being a role model for my six-year-old self lurked in the back of my mind.

Never give up on your dreams. Seven years of show choir came to a close this year, and it could not have ended with a bigger bang. For years, we dreamt of being the best, and it finally happened. Hey Xhil – we did it, and I love you.

Nothing beats the Xavier community. This year has been filled with loss, joy, and a whole lot in between. If it was cheering at football, walking into school on a Monday morning to Mr. Keating’s smiling face, or seeing the community gathered together in support after death, there is no other group of people I would have wanted to go through it all with.

Senior year has a taught me a lot, but I could not be more grateful for Xavier and the four years that have shaped me into the person I am today. I could not be more excited for what the future will bring; however, Xavier will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you to my parents, teachers, and administrators for providing me with a place where I was able to stand firm in my promise to make my six-year-old self proud.

Emma Erner

Business Manager