As I take my last few steps down the halls of Xavier High School, I can’t help but think about how much this place has impacted my life and has been a true blessing. Thanks to this school, I have met some of the most important people in my life. I have made friendships and bonds I will cherish forever.

If it wasn’t for my best friend, Hannah Dake, I wouldn’t have gotten through these last four years. She has been my rock through the ups and downs, the tears and the laughs, standing by my side no matter what. Almost every memory I have in high school, I share with her, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world. I knew I was someone that truly mattered when her family welcomed me as their ‘seventh’ child and invited me into their lives. Thank you for always believing in me and never giving up on me.

Not only have I met my best friends, I learned how to be a friend to myself. Encountering hardships, valuable lessons and countless moments of joy eventually taught me how much life is worth. In understanding that the time I am given on Earth, the people I meet, and relationships I create can be limited and broken, I now know to appreciate even the smallest things, trying to never take anything for granted.

I have learned to be myself no matter what others think of me. This is one of the most important lessons I have taken away from high school. After understanding this, I am extremely happy with how far this concept has taken me in life. I have become comfortable in my own skin with understanding that God created me the way I am for a reason. I realized the significance of doing things because they make ME happy and not relying on the validation from others to interrupt my life.

Learning many things about myself and encountering memorable experiences at Xavier gives this place just one more reason why it’ll be something that’s hard to let go of. Throughout my growing process these last four years, this school has been my second home where, on occasion, things have been messy and chaotic, but nevertheless a place full of hope, love and opportunities every day.

I was told at the beginning of each school year that I would only get one chance, four short years, to create a meaningful experience in this school. I soaked that saying up like a sponge and went about my life keeping this statement in the back of my head. I came to understand each day is a blessing and everything happens for a reason. I am forever grateful I chose to focus on the positive aspects life has to offer and sway my attention to the idea that living for the ‘here’ and ‘now’ is one of the most important ways to live.

I know there will be phases in my life when the door will come to a close, no longer opening and rusting shut. Thankfully, there is a plethora of doors yet to be discovered and journeyed through. In realizing there are plenty of new, shiny doors to be walked through and a path with new opportunities awaiting, it fills me with hope and ambition for what’s to come. So, to all of the doors I’ve walked through these last four years, thank you for always opening and guiding me to the right path.