I walked into the doors of Page at the age of 13. Leaving this school four years later, I’m a completely different person; I’m almost an adult, I’m a high school graduate, and I’ve made memories that I will never forget. There’s a widespread idea that high school is filled with drama and excessive amounts of tedious schoolwork, and while that may be true, senior year made me realize that high school is so much more. I learned to put myself out there, and this paid off enormously because I made unforgettable friends this year.

Pages by Page has been a part of my life for four years. I took journalism freshman year in a class filled with a tight-knit group of seniors, and for most of the year I sat in the front of the class, quietly working on my assignments. I became editor-in-chief sophomore year, and I continued in this position through senior year. Over the past four years, journalism helped me refine my writing skills, but the most important part of the class has nothing to do with grammar or English. This class, my classmates, the teacher, they all taught me lessons about life and helped me form beautiful relationships. During my freshman year, I remember civilized debates about politics, discussions about the drama going on at Page, and normal conversations between friends. As a quiet person, I was always listening. Not eavesdropping, of course, but during these discussions I would make notes in my head, thinking of what I’d say if I had the courage to speak up. Several years later, I do have the courage to speak up. It’s liberating, and I have my journalism class and teacher to thank for this.

Even after a pandemic, typical high school drama, and a number of rigorous AP and IB classes, high school was a success. The first few years were average and rough at times, but senior year made up for these challenges. It has undoubtedly been the best year of my life. If I had to tell myself anything walking through the doors of Page on the first day of my freshman year, I’d tell myself to not worry about what others think of me and to truly live. I have regrets about my first three years of high school because I was quiet and whenever a social opportunity arose I said no. I don’t want to go to the football game. I don’t want to go to homecoming. I don’t want to participate in this function or that event. That’s what I’d say. However, this year I started saying yes, and it transformed my high school experience. Going to football games helped me make new friends, and going to dances helped me solidify these relationships. They, along with many other opportunities, were fantastic experiences that I missed out on during my first three years of high school. 

It’s cliche, but time really does fly. Enjoy where you are right now and make the most of it. I wish I had taken those words seriously during my early years of high school, but even though it took me three years to learn that lesson, it paid off more than I could ever imagine. No matter where life takes me, Page will always be a part of me.

Photo Credits: Page Alumni and Friends