Looking back at my high school experience, the biggest lesson I can takeaway is when it comes to friends, “If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.” And no, I’m not talking about the Florida Georgia Line song. I’m saying that true friendship will last a lifetime. For many, their friend group changes multiple times throughout high school. For me, it was the opposite; my best buds have remained close to me since middle school.

Although I entered high school with a tight group of friends, Algonquin allowed me to meet some of the kindest, smartest, most loving and hard-working people that I will appreciate forever. These friends, new and old, have played a huge role in my mental health and well-being, and I have no idea where I would be without them. We’ve laughed until we cried about hilarious pictures and videos, and we’ve cried until we laughed over pointless arguments we’ve had about simple things.

I’ll also never forget what I’ve learned from my teachers. Sure, they’ve taught me how to write an essay and how to do trigonometry, but most importantly they’ve given me life advice that I will never forget. The connections I’ve made with some of my teachers are like friendships and will definitely last a long time. I’ll be sending some emails and texts to them in my future as I achieve things I could not have accomplished without them.

But here we are. We’re at our high school graduation, and all grown up, about to go off on our own ways and truly become our own people. Like us all, I’ve experienced a lot these last four years, academically, athletically and socially. And like us all, I’ve had amazing accomplishments and experiences, but I’ve also faced a lot of tough challenges. When I look back, I know I’ll think about the people who shared these joys and helped me through the tough times. 

I will definitely miss having my friends by my side 24/7, but, weirdly enough, I believe that leaning on others for advice and guidance through those challenges has made me a more independent person. I will remember and use the advice my closest high school friends and my teachers have given me in my future challenges and hardships. I am the person I am today because of what I’ve learned from them. The friendships I’ve made here are truly meant to be.

Peace out class of 2021, I won’t forget about you, because you are a part of me.