YOU CAN GO THE DISTANCE...

As I’m leaving FCHS, I need to reflect on my choices and the lessons  I have learned throughout high school. My high school career has had its ups and downs, but I believe it has been a positive experience for me as a whole. I’ve had three main takeaways from my years here that I think are beneficial to pass down. 
First of all, it is important to be true to who you are as a person. Once middle school is over and high school comes around, there is a chance to reinvent yourself entirely. With the prospect of new friends and a new school, anything is possible, and you can attempt to warp the way that others see you. Speaking from experience, it is better to be authentic than to play a part. People will naturally be drawn to you if you express yourself in a genuine way. Trying to impress people or “fit in” is fruitless in the grand scheme of things. The best thing to be is yourself, even if you think an alter ego is more impressive. On this topic, I have found it helpful to learn more about myself and my personality type as I mature. I have been very interested in the Enneagram which I believe is the best way to determine your qualities and character motivations. Self-assessments once in a while can boost your confidence and allow you to discover the secret wonders of your personality. Seeing what makes me tick has been fascinating, and I would highly recommend taking either the Enneagram or Meyers Briggs tests to enhance your knowledge of yourself.
Secondly, as you go throughout high school, don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities that you may not have considered. Due to Covid-19, many of us were stuck at home and wanted something to occupy our time. My new hobby took the form of writing, specifically for fictional characters and settings. Since all of my performance-based hobbies were shut down, I was forced to try something new, and it ended up benefitting me in the long run. I love writing now, and I can see myself pursuing it in the future. Getting out of your comfort zone is one of the key parts of high school, and through new experiences, we begin to develop more as people. Another example of this comes in the form of a job. In the summer of my senior year, I got a job working in a cafe for minimum wage. I didn’t need the job for money or necessity, but the experience I got is something I value much more than the cash. My job taught me to wake up early and put my own needs aside so I could serve someone else. A job or new hobby as a teen could make or break your high school career, and I would highly recommend trying out one or both.
Finally, we must remember to bring God into the picture and keep Him at the forefront of our lives. Ultimately, everything we do and strive to be in high school has no meaning if we are not focusing on the Creator. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross enables us to make wrong decisions without condemnation, learn through hard experiences, and steadily grow in character as the years go by. Your high school experience will not be a cakewalk. There will be new problems that will rear their ugly heads at the worst times, but if you keep your eyes on the One who is in control of all the earth, He will be your light through the dense, dark forest adolescence. High school is a hurdle, and every year brings new challenges, but there is nothing too big for Jesus to handle.
I hope that as I move from this stage of my life to the next that I do not forget these three takeaways. Regardless of what stage of life you are in, these points can still make a difference in your life. There are so many more lessons that I have learned from my parents, grandparents, and teachers that I hope I can pass down to my children and grandchildren. I hope that my younger brother might think about these lessons and use them in his future. I hope that he always pursues the Lord in high school and that he continues to have a good relationship with our parents. Most of all, I hope that my visits home will be full of joy and laughter and that I make a lasting impact on my family, friends, and those around me. Although I’m sad to be leaving, I’m excited for what the future holds and where God is leading me next.