|
Graduation Day
Katie Swiatlowski
The day was June 10, a day 300 students would remember, a day I wouldn't forget. Graduation is a big deal in everyone's eyes. At the time, you may not think it is a big deal, but it is. I just completed twelve years of schooling. I've taken dozens of classes, finished hours of homework and studying, and I had gotten myself through so many good and bad times. Through all this, I kept pushing myself to the finish line, and it was a great accomplishment.
Waking up the day of graduation was like any other day to me. I figured I was done with high school, I'll get my diploma, and I'll be done with this day. But, to my surprise, that all changed when I went out to breakfast that morning. The waiter congratulated me and said, "Welcome to a new life!" I was confused by this statement, but just laughed it off and went on with breakfast.
Hours passed that day where I just spent the afternoon with my family and within no time it was time to get ready and head off to Compuware Ice Areana where the graduation ceremony was being held. My family went back and forth talking about how the years went by so fast and it was hard to believe I'd be going to college next year. I agreed but it still hadn't hit me yet.
At 6:00 p.m., the ceremony started and soon my name was being called to the stage, but it was right before that when I figured out what was really going on. This was it; it wasn't the end of the road, but just the beginning. Our class speaker, principal, and board members got up and spoke about us students. Our principal stated, "If you can make it through rough times in high school, you'll be able to succeed in life."
I really paid attention to what all these people had to say, and after hearing their words, I finally put two and two together and figured out what my waiter from breakfast meant by, "Welcome to a new life." I was getting the chance to start fresh. Things that happened in the past wouldn't affect me as much anymore, and the small stuff that was sweated, was over with. It was, in fact, a clean slate.
There it was. I officially graduated high school. I was upset for the initial few moments. My closest friends were moving away and I knew life was going to get harder.
Now, that it's been some time since graduation, I've had time to realize how great of a day graduation really was. Life has gotten more complicated, friendships drifted apart, college classes are a lot harder than expected and it seems like life is always so busy. Yet on June 10, I learned so much about myself and about life.
|
