Letter From a 2024 Graduate

Madison Heth says her goodbyes and concludes her time with The Scroll by writing a letter of inspiration and gratitude to her fellow seniors, teachers and students of Grants Pass High School.

Letter from a 2024 graduate

By Madison Heth

There is something so complex about endings. The waves of emotions, both happy and sad, the fear for the future and an immense amount of expectation all characterize the nearing of graduation. As high school students, we all strive for that day when our names are called and we walk across the Grants Pass High School football field with a diploma in hand. Graduation is a symbol of completion, but also a symbol of new opportunity and a launch into the future. Perhaps one of the greatest realizations one makes when at the face of graduation is that, when one door closes, another opens. As a class of 2024 senior and a three-year writer for The Scroll, my time at Grants Pass High School has come to a close. With this closing, I want to leave my mark, whether it be to my fellow seniors, my teachers, or the many other amazing students new and old. Let this letter be an encouragement and an expression of gratitude. I will share three big takeaways that I have learned through my time at Grants Pass High School, thank the people who have impacted me the most and give advice to those who are still on their journey to that long-awaited final destination that is graduation.

My grants pass high school experience

The Senior Walk at Grants Pass High School photographed by Madison Heth.

Grants Pass High School banner located in the quad photographed by Madison Heth.

My high school experience differs from the general majority, as I did not attend GPHS during my freshman year. I completed freshman year through a homeschooling curriculum which, in regards to COVID-19, worked well with the quarantine measures of 2020, but I ultimately learned that homeschooling was not my best method of learning. Growing up, I was at a very small private school, which made the idea of coming to a public school of just under 2000 students intimidating. However, this jump into a new opportunity is something that altered the outcome of my education greatly, and I would not change it for the world. Living outside of the school district led me to apply for a transfer to attend Grants Pass High School and, thankfully, my transfer was accepted. I remember coming into the high school on my first day, feeling extremely nervous. Little would I know that I would be feeling so reluctant and filled with emotion to leave it three years later. Grants Pass High School has become a home for me. The teachers and students have become family, and the long hours of hard work have become irreplaceable memories.

There are many lessons I have learned in my time as a Caveman and I hope to bring encouragement through sharing what I find to be my most important takeaways.

take the opportunity and challenge yourself through classes

Words engraved on the Commons Building. Photographed by Madison Heth.

Attending Grants Pass High School has been a big blessing in my life. It has opened up an immense amount of opportunity and helped me to expand my education to a place I never thought possible. It is true that this high school holds a multitude of positive experiences for all students. Through my education at GPHS, I have benefited greatly from elective classes. Jumping into CTE programs is something I am very glad I participated in. For me, computer science was one of the first CTE classes I took, and it led to me finding a new passion and the career I aim to pursue outside of high school. If I could offer encouragement in this area for those yet to graduate, I would say: do not be afraid to try CTE courses-- because you never know what new interests you may find. For students at Grants Pass High School, the opportunities provided through elective classes are immense. It is important, as individuals, to challenge ourselves and allow ourselves the opportunity to have new experiences. When we take the opportunities given to us, we are opening up a world of possibilities for personal growth and future success, which is important to remember as a high school student and as a high school graduate.

Grants Pass High School’s offering of AP classes is one of the best qualities the high school holds. I have found my best school friendships in AP classes and have also found my biggest personal growth through them. AP classes offer community, a challenge to better ourselves as individuals and an opportunity to expand our success. Grants Pass High School students are very fortunate to have the opportunity to take AP classes and learn from incredible AP teachers throughout their whole four years of high school. For me, AP classes are one of the greatest parts of my high school experience, and I wish every driven student could experience the positive outcomes of taking AP classes. It can be scary to take on challenges, especially when it comes to school classes. However, it is important to note the positive attributes that taking challenges instills in our lives. I encourage you to expand your possibilities. When given the opportunity to challenge yourself, take advantage of it, because these challenges not only build confidence but also community, perseverance and a work ethic that cannot be shaken.

Appreciate your teachers

My most influential and favorite part of my time at Grants Pass High School is the teachers who have made my high school experience the best it could possibly be. The amount of educational knowledge I have developed from my teachers is immense, but even greater are the life lessons and encouraging words my teachers have provided for me every day. Coming to terms with my conclusion of high school has brought me an even greater appreciation for the time and work teachers put into us students. The teachers at Grants Pass High School who put in effort every day to expand our ideas, knowledge and confidence are the ones who have had the greatest impact on my time in high school. In fact, there are a select number of teachers who not only act as good teaching examples but also act as mentors who will forever have a lasting impact on my life.

It is so important that we, students, take time to appreciate our teachers, especially the ones who go out of their way to make our high school experiences exceptional. Our teachers deserve thanks for the time and effort they put into bettering our lives through education and encouragement. As a senior, I urge you to thank your teachers, acknowledge them for the impact they make on your life, and encourage them to keep bettering the lives of their students for years to come.

Banners placed in the Grants Pass High School core building. Photographed by Madison Heth.

Get involved

The well-known school bell located in the Grants Pass High School. Photographed by Madison Heth.

Yes, I know it is always propounded into students to get involved, but it is true that when you take this to heart and enjoy the experience for yourself, it becomes evident that getting involved really is important.

Joining The Scroll was not something I had planned on doing when I attended high school. Rather, it came as a surprise when I took my first Journalism class sophomore year that I found a new love for writing. Joining The Scroll is one of my best-made decisions at Grants Pass High School. The Scroll brought me a sense of community, helped build my confidence, gave me something to look forward to and helped me improve in my education. This kind of involvement is extremely beneficial and has made my high school experience all the better. The high school offers a multitude of clubs and activities to get involved in. From my experience, with your time at Grants Pass High School, I urge you to take advantage of the clubs and opportunities that are offered to you. For some, being a part of Leadership and helping with the big school dances and assemblies is a great way to promote school spirit and, for others, it is through joining clubs or being a part of the side communities found through different class pathways and interests. Getting involved is how you find your place at school and in society.

Whatever comes out of high school, whether it be college or the workforce, it involves big changes. A big cause of fear as one approaches graduation is the worry of finding community. Away from high school, the search for a community where one can be comfortable and fit in is intimidating, which is why it is a good idea to explore activities that will get you involved in school, and I encourage you to do so. What you learn about community building while in high school will directly affect your success in doing so outside of the schooling environment, and that is the truth.

saying my goodbyes

As I come to finish my time at Grants Pass High School, I am filled with emotions. There is a sadness for leaving my teachers, my place at The Scroll, and the whole of my high school experience. Saying goodbye is not easy. Neither is coming to terms with the conclusion of a time that is so important in my life. However, there is an excitement for what the future holds, for finding my next place in life and watching myself grow into a better and more successful person. My time at Grants Pass High School has given me irreplaceable memories, taught me valuable lessons, brought me a community of people I will never forget, and pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and become a far stronger and better person than I was before I stepped foot in this high school. I know I will not be able to prevent the sadness I feel for leaving, but I also know that this sadness means I have created something for myself that I deeply care about and will continue to deeply cherish. Thank you, Grants Pass High School, for the incredible place you have set in my heart, the valuable lessons you have taught me and for the immense opportunity you have developed in not only my schooling but also my life. I will forever be grateful for my time spent here, for the people I have met and bonded with, and for the unique experiences I have had the chance to live out. With this, I say goodbye to Grants Pass High School. I say goodbye to my teachers, who have impacted my life in more ways than one, to my fellow students, who have made my high school experience enjoyable, and to The Scroll, the most special part of Grants Pass High School in my heart.

The front of Grants Pass High School on a sunny school day. Photographed by Madison Heth.

Sources:

Knowledge from three years as a Grants Pass High School Student, The Scroll member and achiever of becoming a 2024 graduate.

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