Senior Goodbyes: Reflecting on High School

By Maria Tedesco ('21)

The cliché, “life goes by so fast” is true. For seniors, high school ended in a blink of an eye, especially due to the pandemic. With all the focus on college, specific future plans, and the busyness of end of the year events such as prom and graduation, it is difficult for seniors to find time to reflect on the past four years. 

This is how some NR graduates feel about saying goodbye.

“Graduating is so surreal,” said Class of 2021 Vice President Danielle Hanson, “you know when you first start freshman year and people are like ‘it goes by so quickly.’ At first, I didn’t believe them. I thought it would be the longest four years of my life. But we’re already here.” 

Saying goodbye to high school means leaving a solid routine that has been drilled for the last four years. Leaving that routine can mean more freedom in a place far from home, which can be daunting for seniors like Gabriella Marchetelli (‘21). 

“I’m gonna miss the sense of comradery,” said Alessandro Troncoso (‘21), “I have a group of friends that I’ve clicked with for a long time, and I’m gonna miss being able to click with others on an emotional level.”

While nervousness lingers, seniors look forward to meeting new friends outside of their high school bubble. Of course, they are also looking forward to an eventful and relaxing summer that’s filled with music, T.V. shows and entertainment.

Reflecting on the high school experience through music, seniors can relate to songs like “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus or “We’re All in this Together” from High School Musical. Billy Joel captures graduating in “Say Goodbye to Hollywood:” “Life is a series of hello and goodbyes, and it’s time for a goodbye again.”

The high school experience can be seen in T.V shows like The Office, walking into class and erupting with laughter over something silly, or school can be compared to the chaos and eventfulness of shows like Total Drama Island. “Every day there’s something new. There’s always something going on,” said Danielle Hanson (‘21). That is one thing that won’t change after graduation.

 Goodbye high school, welcome to the future.