The last four years felt like they dragged on and on, a never-ending series of tests, quizzes, and essays, but now that I'm here and the end is in sight, I can't help but feel bittersweet.  I had lived in Queens for most of my life, so I wasn't the happiest about moving to Long Island, mainly because it was so close to the beginning of freshman year. Still, despite my initial feelings about Long Island, I think I've achieved all I wanted. Looking back, I'm pretty happy with all I've done.

2020 was the beginning of the first year, and starting it online felt weird. I was happy; I didn't have to go through the awkward stage of meeting new people and introducing myself, but I also didn't have the chance to make friends. It wasn't the most fantastic start to a high school career, but it wasn't all bad. I remember sitting in class every morning with a cup of coffee and breakfast when I was hungry, not having to wait for school lunch. 

Of course, the awkward feeling returned when we were all back in person the following year. Meeting people for the first time with masks on was weird; I did not know anybody, not even from middle school, to go through it with. I tried hard to make friends; I joined clubs and did my best to talk to the people around me, but I hated not knowing anyone. I missed Queens, and I especially missed all my friends, so I threw myself into my work. I took as many AP classes as possible, so I always had work to do. It made the days long. It was stressful, but I ended up stumbling into several friendships, and things were improving. 

Of course, things improved the following year when I met more people and came out of my comfort zone. At that point, I bounced between clubs, AP reviews, and hanging out with friends. I don't know how I had enough energy to do all that in my junior year. I couldn't imagine doing that now, but at the time, it was fun. I learned to let myself have fun. I made every moment count that year. Even then, all my friends could tell you that I'd complain about Queens being better than Long Island and that I missed it. It's a running joke, and I still miss Queens, but I am happy here.

 It took a couple of years, but I finally let myself enjoy my time. I went out, talked to people, and let myself grow. Junior year was intense and the most stressful of my academic career, but it was also a period of personal growth. I found out that I could survive in a stressful academic environment, that I don't have the social battery to go out every day, and that I can make the best of my situation. There was a bright side to moving to Long Island, but if any of my friends bring it up, I'll keep denying it.

Unfortunately, all my energy during the first three years of high school vanished the second I entered senior year. I was on top of college stuff (mostly), was on top of my AP classes, and even took two classes online (bad idea in your senior year, in case you were considering it), but it was tough to find the motivation to keep working. I set my sights on college next. I also thought about my friends in Queens and the ones here; everyone was going to different places. I didn't have any teen movie adventures with my friends; I just kept my head down and got through the days, and now it will be over. It feels bittersweet now. I wish I were more involved, but I wonder if it would've necessarily made my high school experience any better or worse. 

I don't regret anything all that much, though. I had rough times, but I had fun. It was an experience, but at the end of the day, I am different from when I went in—the idea of a new adventure in the future keeps me going. I can't wait to see what college will bring. 

When I reflect on my long but short four years at Uniondale High School, I’m invoked with a myriad of emotions. I’ve grown so much during my time here, from my first day of school in 2021 to now preparing for my post-secondary plans to follow my dreams. I would have never expected my journey to be what it is today. 

There were definitely some unexpected moments in my life, when my sister suddenly passed away on the first day of my junior year it honestly blindsided me. Seeing her leave this world at 29 shocked me; I never thought that my sister would be the one to leave me so soon. From the time she came from Haiti to the United States, she had never allowed the title of “immigrant” to stop her from doing anything; she became a citizen, got married, bought a house, and was studying to be a nurse when she left this earth.

 I miss her smile, her laughs you can hear from a mile away, her cooking, and her loving nature. These past couple of months have been the hardest for me, and knowing that my best friend is not here with me during this crucial time of my life. But ever since then, I’ve learned to grow with grief because I know that is what she would’ve wanted me to do. I couldn’t have done this without the help of my social workers, Ms. Julia, Ms. Parris, and Mr. Escobar. And I know my sister would say she is proud of me today and is my inspiration to go harder than I ever have before. 

Throughout my time in high school, I kept myself very busy with extracurricular activities. I joined the National Honor Society, the National Social Studies Honor Society, Model United Nations Club, and have been the President of the Class of 2025. As class president, I’ve seen my ideas come to fruition, opportunities materialize, and friends made. It's been challenging at times, but I think it’s great character development! I've made a big decision, and I realize that now, when I look back on it, being president of my class isn’t just a title. I took hours out of my week planning events and fundraisers for my class, ensuring it was a productive and enjoyable experience for everyone I worked with to make our senior events possible. I would’ve never been able to do this work without my elective board, student volunteers, and my advisors, Ms. Chase and Ms. Lore. 

I also want to thank the people who have been backing me from the start, my mom, dad, and siblings, Jeanne and Kerline, for always believing me no matter what. And I will have your back forever. I blew kissed to all my teachers whose classes I’d come to sit and chat with, and they wouldn’t kick me out. I thank all the administrators and staff for participating and supporting me in the activities I hosted. And last but not least, I thank me for me. 

I was five years old, in kindergarten, and it was Halloween. The school held an event where the school was open to trick-or-treaters. I was Frankenstein, and my sister was Snow White.

I arrived at my elementary school at around 7; it was dark out, and the night cold air filled me as I entered the building; the one place where I'd see other students was the cafe. Once vibrant and loud, with four walls and a roof, it became a dark, spooky space, almost like a pitch-black hole. I found solace in this darkness and decided to throw myself into it. My friend came with us, and we ran towards the other exit. The feeling of running felt so liberating and euphoric. When I exited, I was met by my mother, who was angry that I ran off. I think back on my decision that night, thinking it should have made its monument in my head, but I'm sad to say it didn't. I struggled to be definitive or consistent across my life until I got my wake-up call about designing. 

Design was introduced to me at a very young age. I started making different shoe colorways on the Nike website using NIKE ID. I was around eight when my mom got the family an iPad. My brother introduced me to the program. I remember looking at Jordan 4s and 1s and being able to make a one-of-a-kind print on a shoe meant so much.  I never had the money to buy the custom pair, but designing it was satisfying enough. I did it over and over and over. It showed me that I did not have to commit since I was young and that it wasn't so bad. It gave me more time to be creative and develop my skills until I was ready. 

It wasn't until I attended a sneaker store event that this dream came to life. The store had a claw machine to get different accessories associated with the event. They had a DIY station where participants could design their Air Force Ones. I added the text "NEW YORK" and a pigeon graphic on the heel. I also mismatched an orange and white suede swoosh on each foot. I laced both shoes with black and orange laces. I topped it off with silver lace locks saying NEW YORK, which exacerbated the aura of the shoe's black silhouette. 

Committing to change was always a problem for me. I struggled to understand that taking risks could lead to better outcomes in life. However, I eventually realized how beneficial stepping out of my comfort zone is. One incident reinforcing this lesson was when I accidentally stained my favorite white shirt, a Billionaire Boys Club Ice Cream shirt I had owned for years. At that moment, I felt devastated, convinced there was no way to salvage it. But then, my brother suggested we experiment with dyeing clothes together.  I agreed though I was worried about ruining the shirt further. As I carefully folded the fabric and added rubber bands, each step filled me with fear and doubt. I pushed forward, choosing only to use two colors, blue and pink, symbolizing duality, a reflection of my conflicting emotions. I anxiously awaited the outcome as the dye settled and the shirt dried. When I finally removed it from the dryer, my heart raced with anticipation. To my amazement, the shirt emerged with a vibrant tie-dye pattern, completely covering the once detrimental stain. It looked as though it had always been this way. 

This experience taught me the importance of letting go of past look mistakes. It showed me that sometimes, taking a chance and embracing change can lead to beauty and growth. From that day forward, I learned to approach life with a new sense of courage and openness, ready to face whatever challenges may come my way.

As I sit in these halls of Uniondale High School, the memories I had here can flood my mind with good memories that fill me with emotions about the memories I had there. Each emotion I hold will be full of laughter, joy, and personal growth while at Uniondale High School. Please join me on this journey as I reflect on the lessons that I learned, my friendships, my teachers, and my experiences there.

During my 9th grade year, COVID-19 happened when I couldn't attend school in person and had to do online learning. COVID-19 affected my 9th-grade year, and I saw my friends and teachers in person in 10th grade. During this virtual learning in 9th grade, I couldn't go to school in person or walk around in the hallways to go from class to class like I wanted to. In 9th grade, online learning brought me challenges and opportunities to meet my new teachers. Through online learning, I managed to grow as a person and discovered the abilities that I had to face to learn new things. Adapting became a key role for me during this 9th-grade year, as I knew the lessons I needed to understand and formed my perspectives of being a good student.

Throughout my 10th grade year, I could go to school in person for the first time, seeing Uniondale High School. As I was involved from 9th to 10th grade, I managed to be more mature as a student, have goals I want to achieve, and Identify my strengths and values as a student. There was a change in my 10th-grade year because I got to see my friends again and finally got to see my new teacher in person, which made me happy. My academic journey and experiences have guided me on paths to move forward to 11th grade. 

The 11th grade was an important year for me and all of us. We had to worry about taking the English Regents in January and the US History Regents in June. 11th grade has changed my perspective and my life forever. This is when I meet new people, friends, and new teachers like Mrs Locurto. 11th grade helped me reach new heights of involvement, time management skills, and leadership. This time, I was digging more into the future and what was next for me after high school, which led me to 12th grade. I had so many changes in my senior year of high school because it was my last year. During senior year, we started to develop from teenagers to adults. This marks a climax of years of personal and academic growth during my four years in high school. The challenging part about being a senior was making the college application because it's too much work that must be done to apply to college, like letters of recommendation, an essay, placement testing, a resume, etc. This is when my friendships started strengthening, knowing this was my last year to showcase my passions as a person. 

My teachers throughout high school became my mentors, guiding me through my previous steps before becoming an adult. This excitement for my future was a bittersweet reality of leaving behind a school that helped shape me into who I am today. After I graduate high school, I will have new beginnings and a new chapter in my life.

Reflecting on my time in high school, I realized that spanning through grades 9th to 12th greatly impacted me in terms of personal and academic growth. This marked a significant change in my life as a person. I adjusted to raise for the academic responsibilities and requirements of high school in 9th grade to prepare me for my 12th grade high school year. This helped me evaluate my learning experiences, identify my strengths and areas for improvement, and set goals for myself on what I can accomplish. Activities like journalism, having peer discussions with other students, and having the teachers give me feedback on certain things like assignments, 

My self-awareness helps me decide my future career and further my education. In addition to my reflection, it made me think critically as a student to complete all the challenges and obstacles and celebrate my success. High school helped me develop a mindset of improving and adapting to necessary skills for lifetime learning and building up to my success.  

Since my time in high school is about to end and start a new chapter in my life, reflecting on my time in high school was an influential exercise that impacted my personal and academic growth. During my time in high school in education, it wasn't about me obtaining knowledge. It was about developing my determinative thinking skills, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. Throughout my reflection, I identified the strengths and weaknesses I learned from my successes and failures that will set my meaningful goals for the future. This encouraged me to understand my experiences more deeply, allowing me to build knowledgeable decisions and resilience. Eventually, my reflection on high school serves as the formation of my lifelong learning and personal development that equips me with skills necessary to show the difficulties of my life beyond the classrooms I am in.

In a few weeks, I will be graduating high school. I could have gone crazy with anticipation during my second year here. I hated school. I have had some very rough patches over the past four years, sometimes where I even believed I wouldn't pull through. Well, look at me now. I'm here, and I've made it to the end of the finish line.

 One instance where I wished to be out of this school and on a beach in the Virgin Islands was when I got bullied. Back in 10th grade, this pompous 9th grader found great fun picking on me. He would call me names and make fun of my clothes and the way I looked--the whole shebang. It was comical at first, like a high school T.V. drama, but in real life. It was funny until I realized the class was in cahoots with him. I heard the kids around me whisper and snicker at me. That hit my pride and made me pretty miserable.

 To make this long story short, I visited the teacher, the social worker, and the principal. No help was given, sadly, and I was on my own. So I took things into my own hands, and I mean quite literally my own hands. I punched him. I ended up getting suspended for about a week, and I was moved out of that class. I know that was not a great idea, and I'm not telling you all to go and punch people you don't like. Could you learn from my mistakes? I want you to know that sometimes it'll feel like the whole world is cascading down around you. Remember that high school isn't forever and that the problems it comes with aren't a big deal unless you let them consume you. That's what a lot of students do. I know because it happened to me. 

 One other instance, and this one was pretty recent, was when my sister almost died. About two to three weeks ago, my sister needed a life-altering surgery that would remove her thyroid. Her thyroid was over-reactive, and that prompted her to develop Graves disease. She was diagnosed with this almost a year ago now, so I was baffled about why the surgery was happening only now. Her doctors told her that with Grave disease, pregnancy could end with serious complications, so the best course of action was to remove the thyroid. They scheduled it and assigned my mom as her aftercare person, and within two weeks, she was at the hospital for surgery.

Before they wheeled her, they told my mom the surgery would only take 2-3 hours. One hour rolls by, then 2, 4, then 6. By now, my mom is troubled and confused. Then, after 7 hours, they called my mom, saying, "She can't be seen. She's in the ICU. She had a heart attack and stopped breathing. Mom called me during my 4th-period class and said, "I'm not sure if your sister will make it. The doctors are trying their best, but she's not waking up." I couldn't even stand up after I was told that. I couldn't believe that the person I had just talked to the day before was now dying and was not awake to say to me some dumb remark or tell me that she was proud of me. It was beyond devastating. I couldn't function the rest of the day, and I wished that with every last fiber in my body, I could be with my sister. Even now, I fully believe that the only reason I could keep pushing through was my family's unwavering belief that she would be ok. And guess what? She finally woke up the next day, but she had completely lost her voice; she couldn't speak. They had accidentally heavily injured her vocal cords with the removal of her thyroid. Her body's calcium production went down so drastically her heart couldn't take it. Thankfully, she woke up by some miracle. I thank God and the doctors for saving my sister because if it weren't for them, I would have possibly failed. I love my family so much.

 So, high school is way too tricky for me. There's a lot of pressure on me to do well despite the many bad things and distractions thrown my way. All I know is that I have people and family who have had and will have my back forever and always. No amount of praise and words of reverence could even slightly express how thankful I am. Something that helped me get through high school was a saying that I made up, "When you feel lost, remember where who's at home."  It means that no matter what kind of situation I'm going through, I will always have the people who support me. So, I want to express to you all that I love my friends and family from the bottom of my heart. They are the valid reason I am where I am now.

      These past years have been filled with many ups and downs. I learned a lot of new things, lost friendships, gained friendships, failed many tests, and passed many tests. One thing I take with me is trial and error. Everything is trial and error. No matter where you are or what you do, everything is what you make out of it, and even if you fail, it's about how you decide to use it to your advantage. 

I like Rocky's quote: "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!" It stands out to me because of the concept of trial and error. No matter how many times you get knocked down, no matter how many mistakes, you have to keep pushing. Many people stop right before they hit success. It can be your 12th time trying, so you try it one more time and fail. What if, at that 14th try, you accomplish what you're trying to do? Failure is what many people are afraid of, including myself. And that's one thing I won't allow myself to do. Only succeed with trying. 

 I had many excellent and fun experiences during high school. I will miss it. I will miss the moments I had. I would do it all again if someone asked me. It's just a feeling that I may never get again. It's like when it's near Christmas, and we watch a movie in class and don't do anything for the whole week before winter break. One of my favorite memories was last year in my 9th-period math class. It was during the World Cup, and it was held towards the end of the year because of the climate in Qatar. We did nothing in class for around one month but watch the World Cup. It was fun because I like soccer and sometimes needed to watch it at the end of a long school day. Moments like these make me realize it wasn't so bad after all. I'm half and half on leaving. The whole adulting part doesn't seem amusing to me. Growing up, paying so many bills, and working all the time doesn't seem right. But it is nice to think of having my own home and place I can call mine. 

 I was able to find myself. I struggled trying to fit in and always felt the need to conform. I was at an all-time low until I got up and did something about it. Sapping is part of life, and it's OK, but it's not OK to always be sad and feel sorry about myself. That's how I see it, at least. When I learned about stoicism, my perspective on everything changed. It took a long time to adapt to that mindset, but I could. I went camping last year, and there was a rainstorm. I was so scared of getting wet. I wouldn't say I liked the rain. I thought it was going to prevent me from having any fun. But it was one of the best moments of my life. I stepped out of the tent and realized that I was the only person who could prevent myself from doing so many things. I wanted to take advantage of this moment. So many times, I've missed out, and I didn't want to miss out again. I got out of the tent and went out in the rain. Who cares? We only live once.

I was soaked, and surprisingly, I didn't get sick and had a fantastic time. Most of my life was spent worrying about everything. Instead of appreciating everything. Everyone goes through something, but it's about how I can use it to my advantage to get back up and do it again. It all comes back to trial and error. If you make a mistake, something goes wrong, change, get better, and fix it. If I can do something about it, great, and if not, that's great too. Prioritize being the best version of yourself. Be kind and cherish the little things. Enjoy everything. It's only my first time living. 

 I'm really into positivity, and I love Hope Core videos. Hope Core is a TikTok trend in which people post videos that spread positivity. It can be a slideshow of positive words or videos of people doing good deeds. It can be anything. That's how I found out about stoicism. I'm happy I did. The videos showed me that my purpose on earth was to love. I spent a lot of time worrying about what my purpose was. Who does everyone want me to be? What I should do, and who I should be. I am trying to find the meaning of life. But the meaning is what I make it. It's how you decide to perceive reality.

 Kendrick said, "When will we understand that we are put on earth to love? That's all it's about. Everyone wants to figure out how complicated life is. It's going to keep going on. Wars are going to keep going on; frustration will keep going on; anger will keep going on until we finally go back down to the simplest word, love, but until then, it's going to be warfare." I see this as the yin and yang. There's darkness and lightness. Love can exist without love; hate can't exist without love. I can't find peace without the darkness. The dark shows me to appreciate the light. It's duality. 

 To sum up all my thoughts, we need to love life, love everyone and appreciate everything. That's what I got out of all my high school years. I can't ignore my feelings, but I can at the same time. I can ignore them and pretend to be happy until I'm thrilled or feel them all at once. There's no right or wrong in how I live my own life. Sometimes, I'm afraid of what the future has in store for me, but the present is what shapes me. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. All my emotions, frustration, anger, and happiness are a part of life. There's always a way out. I make my future. I decide how I want to live and spend my time. No one is perfect, and we all have flaws. Learn to love the flaws. Life is flawed. That makes it beautiful because we aren't human without imperfections or human struggles.

I have spent four years of my life within the walls of Uniondale High School. For the first year of my high school education, I spent every day at home due to Covid-19. It was a relaxing feeling of not having to try much, being able to go to sleep right after classes, and not retaining any of the information that I was taught during online schooling. 

When it was time for me to come to the high school for the first time in my sophomore year, I wasn't nervous or scared. I think because of the isolation, I was just more over the whole idea of going to school and doing the work needed to succeed. The isolation I felt caused me to be even lazier than before, so coming back caused me to push myself a little bit more. At the time, I thought the extra work I put in was not worth it, and sometimes I still feel that way. But I can say that the work I had to put into some of my classes was great for my overall development. The hard work I put forth was used to show me that hard work can get me places, and it would only get harder with my extra school years. I took that with me for most of my 4 years of high school.

While the isolation only lasted for my freshman year, returning my sophomore year was not exciting. I realized that setting back into in-person learning was not what I remember.  That year seemed to go by slower than I could have ever imagined. I think the thing I really struggled with was having to show up and stay until the end. For example, when doing online learning, I did not have to show up to class unless I wanted my attendance accounted for, and even if I did not want to show up, I could use the excuse of my Wifi not working.  The lesson I learned from that not showing up did not seem like an option from that point on. The constant feeling that I have to adjust for the better of my grades and possible future in whatever I decide to do, was a little overwhelming. 

With time, that feeling started to fade, and I started to slip into a new normal and a new kind of thinking involving my attendance, work, and effort. In that same year I did yoga class instead of regular gym class. And the mindfulness practices I did in that class helped with my ability to convince myself that my effort and my attendance could help me go far.

My junior year was considered the most important year in high school because that's the year we really had to start getting ready for college. Like my sophomore year, there was still not much excitement, and now I had to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life—or at least a good majority of it. By this time, I was getting used to being in school again and doing fairly well in my classes. 

This year, the one problem I faced was realizing that the one thing that was very stable in my years of schooling since 3rd grade wasn’t something I wanted to do anymore. I was in the band for the longest time, and when I got to my senior year in middle school, I didn't want to do it anymore. When I was in eleventh grade, my love for playing my instrument started to fade even more because of how I was treated by one of the music teachers. Instead of helping others play their instruments better to make the band sound better, the teacher pushed me past the point, making me hold on to the music. While I was flattered that I was considered one of the better players, it wasn’t fair for me to be held accountable for the teacher not teaching other students, so I decided to part ways with the band. Later on, I joined back because I thought I missed the band, but I was actually missing my friends who were in the band. After realizing that, it wasn’t worth pretending I wanted to be back just to see my friends, even though I could see them anytime during the day or after school. So, with that, I decided to step away for good. 

Now that I’m in the last year of high school, the pace has definitely changed, but not by much. I know that I will be going to Molloy University with the hopes of becoming a cardiologist. While my career is not final, I will treat my first year in college like it is. As the school year ends, I'm considering all the possibilities to make new friends and connections that can help me. I want to put myself out there more when I start college, considering I will need more help than in high school. I want to be open and have a better attitude towards school. If I become a cardiologist, I would have to do about 10 years of schooling plus extra to enter a specific type of cardio. The amount I would have to do doesn’t scare me because, for the most part, I will be making my own schedule, and the hours of studying I would have to put into it doesn’t shake me either. 

I know that my studying habits w have to change and I'm okay with working on that. This year that is something I realized and want to continue and improve. While it’s understandable that I'm scared, it shouldn’t be why I shouldn't try new things and get out of my comfort zone. I hope to keep that for the rest of my schooling and possibly the rest of my life.

Standing at the threshold of my adulthood in my senior year of high school, it has been a mix of the epitome of excitement and nervousness, but all resulting in anticipation nonetheless. It's a time when the past meets the future, and nostalgic feelings mix with anxiousness. The weight and burden of responsibility and maturity start to sink in. 

A significant part of the year is feeling that finality lingers in every experience. Each class or chat with a friend is touched with the awareness that it could be the last. It is a realization that these moments can and will quickly become memories in the blink of an eye. Time waits for no one. However, understanding adds depth to each moment, reminding us to cherish the present.

From an educational perspective, senior year embodies the years of diligent efforts, perseverance, and dedication that students and I have been committed to. It is when I am confronted with the predicament of mixing my attempts to cope strongly with an exhausting academic routine with my thrill of being close to complete freedom. It might even be a time of self-discovery for myself as I try to explore more of what I take into passion, skill, and abilities I need to pursue once I prepare myself for a rigorous education adventure. Beyond that, it presents me with choices as I confront the decision of charting my future path. 

Senior year goes beyond academics. It's a period that marks growth, self-discovery, and contemplation. It's a time marked by events such as prom and graduation that symbolize the journey we made from freshman to senior. Moments like these make me reflect on my development and leave a bittersweet sentiment on me. They prompt me to think about my identity, aspirations, and challenges that I may face.

This senior year holds dear in my heart, as it's a time to build connections and treasure relationships. It's about forming unbreakable bonds with classmates, teachers, and mentors who have shaped the high school experience. Saying goodbye to friends who feel like family is bittersweet, knowing that our paths may never cross again, but shared memories will abide.

 Reflecting on my last year at Uniondale High School, I am grateful for each experience, lesson, and relationship that enriched my high school experience. This year has taught me to come out of my shell and value living in the moment, embracing change, and seizing opportunities that come my way. As I prepare to enter the next chapter of my life, I carry forward the lessons learned, knowledge gained, and memories of the year as guiding lights for the road. 

Uniondale has been my home for the past 18 years. Growing up in Uniondale is one of the biggest reasons I am who I am today. I have undergone many challenges, which have made me grow in many ways. I have lost and made many friends, and I have had many teachers who have impacted my life and stayed with me for many years. I have many reasons to be thankful for Uniondale, but most importantly, all the memories I have made and what Uniondale shaped me into. 

In elementary school, I would wish to grow up faster; my mom would  tell me, "Stop wishing for something you don't want." I would not listen, and I always wished I was older; now, being 18, there's nothing more I  don't want. I want to feel excited about anything and not have to worry about "adult things." 

One memory I have from elementary school that has shaped me into the shy person I am today is singing on stage for a talent show in front of many parents and then getting scared and throwing up in front of over 100 parents. That night, I left school embarrassed by what had happened. Being shy is something I still have to deal with. Elementary school, to me, felt like yesterday; playing outside in the playground with friends and just being free was yesterday. These little things that happened while I was in elementary school are huge things that have shaped me into who I am today.

After a while, I started to be less shy in middle school. I met this girl named Kayla. She would be all over the place, and suddenly, we were close friends. She would make me tag along for any little thing. I started to become less shy and began to be more social. I made friends with some people who would later on have impacted my high school years with hurt. These friends would become my best friends from middle school to halfway through high school. When someone older tells you, "People change in high school; try to stick together." it is one of those lines you don't believe at the moment, but later on, you see what they mean by it. Friendship is something that comes with many good memories but also with harsh ends. These things made me grow into a different person and stronger. 

I have many good memories of high school, but my best two years were when we returned from COVID-19 and my senior year. I got my car this year and started to go out way more. My parents have always trusted me; they believe the teenage years "should be enjoyed the most."

 The bright light from the computer screen glares at me as I sit here staring back at it. "The Final Assignment" is my "goodbye piece" to my town, high school, and teenage years. This is it—my guts all out on paper, sharing my experience with heartfelt words saying how much I will miss everything and how much I've learned. Well, here I am with it, confidently saying that I've never felt more frustrated in my entire life.  

I've never felt more unsure in my life than I do now as a graduating senior. Every person I meet who realizes I'm graduating says the same thing repeatedly. "Ready to graduate? Are you excited? Must be happy it's over, huh?" Hearing it repeatedly kills me because the questions are so shallow it almost infuriates me. High school may have been the worst time in my entire life. There wasn't a single moment I spent truly at peace here; there wasn't a single night I slept soundly. During those moments, I wished for everything to be over already. Now it's here, and I can not help but feel so distraught.

It's so frustrating because how many nights did I spend WAITING for this? Now it's here, and I do not feel ready. What frustrates me even more is that I feel like this because even with three years of being in what felt like a personal hell this last year, "senior year" made it all worthwhile. What only felt like two weeks ago is seven months ago, I decided to do something unusual and go out. I got invited out to eat after a dance with some kids I didn't know well then, but I said, "What's the harm?" and went. That single decision changed the course of my entire senior year. Suddenly, those "kids I didn't know too well" became my family. 

That one hangout became another and then another until suddenly they're in all the Polaroids stuck in my mirror. I had never had a sturdy group of friends, really, really; I barely had much of a best friend.  Suddenly, I have a best friend who can't shut up about Jeff Buckley; I have another best friend who flirts with me all the time, another who will "lock in tomorrow' because she doesn't want to get FOMO, and another that if he could, he would get "Snap On" tattooed on him. These evil influences, big backs, and yappers truly kept me sane this year. Suddenly, all the nights I was alone didn't exist anymore; I didn't know what being alone was anymore, not when they were with me. 

I once heard someone say, "My friends are the most important thing in the world to me," I thought, how could that be? What about your family, your partner, etc? I now understand what they meant. My friends are the most essential things in the world; they've taught me so many things simply by being here. I've learned that whatever you have been through, healing is possible. I've learned that having faith is more than saying you have it but truly believing in it; I've learned that if I'm not going to get one thing done, I must at least get the other done to balance it out, and I've learned that sometimes what you need isn't advice but just a listening ear. But my two favorite lessons from them may be one: love is real because I am full of it with them, and two, I am not hard to love, not when they have shown me how it feels to be loved unconditionally.  

So, as excited as freshmen, sophomore, and junior year I was to graduate, I was pretty torn senior year. I don't know if I'm ready not to see them every day after each class if I'm prepared for the chance that we may all grow apart. If I am or am not, we'll just have to find out, but if we all grow apart, they will always have the most specialist place in my heart. When my kids ask me about high school, I don't have to say it was the worst part of my life, not when I met them.  

These four years of high school have been a long and bumpy ride. I have learned many lessons on this journey. I did not know what would be in store for me starting high school for the first time. Covid-19 was a rough period for us, lasting a couple of years. At first, it wasn't something that seemed like a big deal to a world problem changing a lot of their lives. On top of this, school changed a lot more for everybody, especially those who didn't even get to have a graduation. I'm grateful that I am here today to experience my graduation.

I had to experience my first day of high school online because of the damage COVID-19 had caused to the world. I think I found it more challenging to do my work online since I was in the comforts of my home, causing me to do things like almost fall asleep in class or not pay attention and miss stuff in class and the worst of all, the "breakout rooms" having a small project they made us work with other students in groups. Most of the time, it would be quiet since no one felt they had to talk.

 After a long and challenging year of online school, we finally got to go into the building. This feeling was also nerve-wracking, especially since I had missed the first day of school. I felt as if everybody already had their things together, but at the same time, I was just getting started, not knowing this was the beginning of my soon-to-be long journey.

The first day of school was quite an experience for me; many kids were in the halls wearing face masks because the schools didn't want the virus spreading to students; the kids were walking through the halls fast; it was like a parade or stampede making the experience heart racing to have to get through crowds of people.  It felt like chaos in the hallways; students talked to their friends, some stood in the middle, and many people were on their phones. Like most people, to block out the noise, I would usually wear headphones. It kept me at peace, not having to hear any chaos that was going on and listen to my music, mostly R&B and Hip-hop. When I entered class for the first time, I was pretty sure I was a few minutes late, so I could feel all the students staring at me. It made me more nervous than I already was. 

Lunch was also a fun but exciting experience since these screen things were at every table. They were like see-through cubicles to separate everybody in a way. It still felt different since it was Covid, and we couldn't be too close to each other. It was a regular day of high school. Besides all the kids wearing masks, nurses, guidance, and assistant principals' offices had screens to social distance, but this would not be the last.

Through my junior and senior years, it began to be better since COVID-19 died down, and everybody had their masks off with no screens. It felt more like a natural experience when I joined something called BOCES. I attended a career school called Barry Tech, where I made some of my best memories. In my first year, I participated in a SkillsUSA competition because of my ability to make art. This was a thing that was mostly for seniors, but I was able to win a medal, getting to second place in the regional competition. After winning, I got to go to the next step, the state competition. I went to Syracuse with multiple students from Barry Tech. Being upstate was an excellent experience for me. It was different from what I was used to. The hotel and the food were pretty good. The competition was the most nerve-wracking part for me. I had to bring a laptop and printer for this competition and sit by the judges. Unfortunately, I didn't win, but I was able to take a lot from this experience.

My next year at BOCES was great. I got to go on trips for free since it was a part of the class, going to the cradle of aviation, using vintage arcade machines, and having fun with friends. I also went on several other trips to visit colleges, where we got a tour and some insight into what classes were like and what kind of job you could get attending the type of class. Later in the year, I ended up attending Skills USA again, only getting third place this time, and I got to do more than one competition where I had to speak to judges about the kind of bulletin board my team had made. I practiced my speech for weeks. Speaking in front of people was scary, but I could pull through, and they liked one of my lines. Lastly, my favorite part of this year was attending a barbecue hosted by Barry Tech. We had two tickets, one for a meal and another for ice cream. There was also a place to throw pies, and the principals put their faces in the hole, waiting for the pie to hit their faces. It was hilarious. 

Even though I had my ups and downs in high school, I truly enjoyed going to Uniondale High School, and I'm proud to be graduating from this place and moving on to the next step in my life.

The course of my high school journey was a rollercoaster with no stopping point. I didn't know what was in store after finishing middle school. I was never the smartest or brightest student, but I still tried my hardest to be the best I could be. These years in high school have taught me a lot about myself and the people around me. The learning process had much to do with my parents' constant support.  

I didn't know what to expect in my four years at Uniondale High School—my first year at the school involved virtual classes because of the global pandemic that was taking place in 2020. This was a considerable switching point for me since, for my whole life, I always did school in person. I didn't know how taking classes online through a meet would be since this experience was new. Also, I wouldn't say I liked that we would have no trips since the pandemic, and that's one of the things I was looking forward to when I started high school. Virtual classes were very dull, and I would often not pay attention in class and would have to make up a lot of missing assignments. This was a massive struggle; I wish it had been more personal. I failed a couple of classes and had to attend summer school, which was a first for me. I did my best in summer school and made sure not to go to summer school again.  

After my first year, we went back to in-person classes with face masks, which was very weird since I had never used a face mask in school. I didn't know what to expect for my sophomore year, and it was very challenging to work in the mask because of how hot it would be or eat lunch with it. We had a barricade that we had to use when we ate lunch. We had to go back to virtual for a week so they could clean the school, and I liked going back to virtual instead of being in-person. This was a very challenging experience not just for me but for my family and friends since they didn't know how to help me with my problems. After finishing my sophomore year, I was thrilled to hear that the pandemic would soon be over and that we would return to school without needing a face mask or going online. 

I was so excited to start school usually and not have to worry about a face mask or going virtual. This was a year I will never forget, as I made many new friends, and all of my teachers were amazing. My favorite class that year was cooking because of the food I made and the teacher's niceness. It was still challenging to do most of my work since all the previous lessons were during the pandemic, so I needed to learn how to do the job. I still tried to be the best I could be and passed all my classes for the year. 

As my final year at Uniondale High School is coming to an end, it has been a joyful ride that I can't forget. This year, I went to Washington, D.C., for a band trip, which was amazing. We played at an amusement park, and we stayed at a hotel, which was fun with my friends. I will miss all the teachers I had throughout my time here and always remember all the memories. I am now ready to see what life has in store for me.

High school started a new chapter in my life, a fun chapter. In just four years at Uniondale, I experienced some fun and sad moments. High school also taught me some very important life lessons that are helpful later on in life.

Some life lessons I learned in high school were to always hand in work on time or early. These lessons helped me a lot through high school to get the job, but I sometimes got the work done late. I usually forget to hand it in, or I just forget to do it, but this was just one of a few life lessons. One life lesson that I always use is to mind your own business. This helped me all my life, and in high school, there were so many problems that people had and put others in that I just minded my business and did me.

Some of the difficult parts of high school were trying to pass some class I took. One of the classes I always struggled with was English class. I was not a good writer when writing essays and paragraphs. Another class I always struggled with was science class. I thought science was so dull; with all the reading and research, just one lab could have been more fun. The labs were the most boring thing in science class for no reason. It was dumb, but I needed the labs to pass the class. These are just some of the challenges that happened to me in high school.

 I learned some life lessons and made some new friends on the way. The good thing is that I learned a lot from high school, which is going to help me in the future. The best I can say is to go with the flow and let things play out; over time, everything will fall into place. This is just how my high school experience was; I just went with the flow. I'm going to miss high school, mainly some of the teachers who helped me along the way to graduate high school on June 29th.

   Goodbye. What does it mean to you? Some people take it as not seeing one another ever again, either meaning death or breakups; others also use goodbye when leaving an area forever. I have lived in Uniondale my whole life, and from generation to generation, most of my family has attended the same schools as I have. Having lived in Uniondale my entire life, I have been to many graduations, experienced having parents call, and basically, the whole package deal. Being able to leave Uniondale behind and move to a new state with new people and environments is scary. This is how my high school experience went.

 COVID-19 had ruined most of my high school experience; school had technically begun when I was in 9th grade. Although the idea of high school was going the full four years with many other kids, it was still pretty cool: the empty halls, the quiet classes, the empty lockers, and the clean floors. I was one of the only kids to go back to school in person when school started because I would end up not waking up and spending my day in online classes. The Google Meet classes, in my opinion, were one of the worst things to ever happen; not everyone paid attention; most people failed, didn't do their work, skipped classes, and it wasn't a great first experience as a new thing to most. I threw my whole 9th and 10th grade since it was still online and because I had no intention of caring, but I passed everything. It was due to the teachers boosting everyone's grades due to the lack of effort put into the classes and work. Then comes 10th grade; COVID was still in full effect, and there were more people but only a few; the halls were less empty than before, but there still were few kids. Some of the teachers did end up coming into schools, and it wasn't all that bad since I wouldn't be alone fully, but it wasn't the best. On to 11th grade…

 Eleventh grade was when the COVID effect was finally dismissed, and it was also where my highlight of high school began. How many people say that 11th grade is when you should focus in school and try your best because it's when colleges are looking and because it makes or breaks your after-high school experience? Even though I had heard many of my teachers and family members say that I chose to learn passively, 11th grade was not too much of a challenge, but there were times when I was stuck and could have possibly failed. But everyone knows that it is always the worst at the start of the year. Towards the middle of the year, I picked up everything and got my grades back up to where I was good to settle and relax, but not too much. But just because there were bad moments does not mean there weren't good ones. During that year, I made many friends and had great moments with them all at given points outside of school. In the 12th grade…

  Being in my last year of high school means I have finally reached the end of my childhood. I'm slowly becoming an adult, and many more responsibilities will be on my shoulders. June is just around the corner, and I will be graduating soon. I am glad I have made as many friends as I did and shared many experiences with everyone. Through the tough and easy times, I have enjoyed every last bit of it and am glad that I chose to be a part of Uniondale High School. Once I graduate and move states, I will never forget where I met my friends and where I came from. I hope the new generation and many more experience the same great time I had. Just know that high school may seem scary, but it is not so bad once you get used to it; it may take some time, but trust me, it will be worth it all.

 To whom this may concern, I would like you to know that you are never truly alone in this world once you let your guard down. When hope is lost, it always has a way of finding its way back, and trust me, it is great. I hope that anyone and everyone who gets to go to Uniondale High School can make great memories and have great experiences like I did. As I close this reflection, I would like to say Goodbye to Uniondale!

  As I lookback on high school, I realized that it  has been full of ups and downs, and I've learned so much along the way and procrastinated a lot. Thinking back I realize how much I've grown and how every choice I've made has led me to this point in my life. We all say that we can't wait to grow up but I'm not in a rush, amidst these emotions, I remind myself that growing up isn't just about reaching a goal but about embracing the journey and the lessons it offers. It's about learning from mistakes, cherishing memories, and embracing change with open arms, because this is only the beginning of the rest of my life.

High school has taught me resilience, the importance of hard work, and the value of true friendships. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming whether it was a tough test, or deciding what college to go to. I vividly remember the weeks leading up to the SATs, endless hours of studying, countless practice tests, and the constant pressure to do well. I was so stressed, convinced that this one test would define my future. But then, I received some great news. My dream school did not use SAT scores for admission. It felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders. This taught me that sometimes the things we stress about are less important than we think.

Reflecting on high school, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the significance of balance. Juggling academics, extracurricular activities, and a social life often felt like walking a tightrope. There were times when I poured all my energy into schoolwork, neglecting the need for downtime and self-care. There were periods when social events and personal interests took precedence, leading to late-night study sessions and frantic catch-up work. Through trial and error, I discovered that maintaining a healthy balance was key to my well-being and success. It wasn’t always easy, but these experiences taught me to prioritize and manage my time effectively, a skill that will undoubtedly serve me well in the future.

Another valuable lesson high school has imparted is the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. Whether it was participating in a debate for the first time, joining a new club, or volunteering for a community project, these experiences pushed me to grow in ways I never anticipated. Initially, fear of failure and rejection held me back, but with each challenge, I became more confident and resilient. These opportunities allowed me to discover new passions and strengths, shaping me into a more well-rounded individual. 

As I move forward, I’ll carry with me the understanding that growth often comes from taking risks and embracing the unknown. High school was just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where this journey of self-discovery will lead me next.

High school is a great place to make memories and friends. It helps students build character and confidence. High school has impacted me in many ways, from learning who to trust to learning who not to trust. One of my many lessons is that some friendships never last. When COVID-19 hit, I lost many friends and connections, which made me realize who has my back. My best friend Jonathan (aka Pollo) has been by my side since middle school.

I met Pollo in middle school. He used to sell candy as a side hustle, and I always bought it from him. One day, he asked me if I live-streamed video games, and I told him I did. He asked if I could help him start a streaming channel and set up his live stream. We've been close since that day, and to this day, we still stream together and get paid for it! 

Another person I've been good friends with since the sandbox is my brother from another mother, Woozy, aka Anthony Velasquez. We've been tight since we were kids, But sadly, Anthony had to move schools due to a problem at school. We lost touch briefly, and I missed having him around. Then, I started high school, and it brought us back together. It was one of the best things about high school. I'm grateful for it. Like any friendship, we've had our ups and downs, but ultimately, he's like family to me.

Now that I can look back, I feel grateful for having them during those years. We went through pretty tough times together, but I always knew they had my back through it all. As we go on to college and life, I'm excited to see where we all end up. I can confidently say that we'll still have each other's backs no matter what.

  My high school shares the same street as the elementary school. During my first years there, I never really thought anything of it; I was too occupied in my own life to give much thought. However, in my senior year, as I walked by the playground on my way home, I noticed two kids standing at the fence watching my classmates walk by. They stood there calling at us and admiring. It reminded me of being that age, thinking how cool the older kids looked, longing for the day I would be one. It felt like I would never be there as I had several years ahead. 

As I stood there in my last high school months, I couldn't believe how fast everything went by. I couldn't help but think back to my years in elementary school when I was one of the kids playing on the playground. I still remember my first day of kindergarten and how nervous I was as I walked to the school with my dad—that year ended up being one of the most critical years in my life, as I met one out of the two dearest friends I'd have in the future. 

I don't remember the exact date; I remember mostly everything else. Katherine Franco was one of the first friends I ever made in school. She noticed I was wearing a hat similar to hers one day. It had ears like a kitten and the face of a kitten on the front.  She approached me and declared "us "kitty fri" nds,"  and we were inseparable after that. Katherine and I  were total opposites. I was more timid and kept to myself, while she was more extroverted and was friends with most of our class. Unexpectedly, we made the greatest of friends. Kat would push me to try new things, but I wasn't comfortable combatting on my own, such as learning to hula hoop.  

While we would bicker occasionally, she had the kindest of hearts. She treated everyone with care, even the kids who would get picked on, without fearing being judged. She was my best friend and my role model, even at such a young age. As the school year ended, I was told that I would have to attend a different school in an entirely different town the following year since my family was moving. I didn't fully understand; I did not know I wouldn't see my best friend anymore, which broke my heart. As the summer passed and I started first grade, I came to peace with it. 

While I did spend the rest of my third grade in another town, I moved back to Uniondale for second grade. Nevertheless, a whole school year had passed, and I didn't talk much when I returned. I made my other friends, and so did she. We weren't in the same classes after that. That was until fourth grade when I walked into class on the first day and saw her sitting at the front of the room with her other friend, Angelyne. I have met Angelyne before, but we haven't talked much. I knew she was friends with Kat, but just from seeing them together. When Kat noticed me, though, she greeted me with a smile and told me to sit with them. As the year passed and we all sat together, we became our group. The three of us would do everything together and always spend our time laughing. So much so that our teacher named us The Gig" less." She never dared split us up; somehow, we got lucky enough to have our following year together. 

We graduated elementary school and then, three years later, middle school. As we entered high school, when most say friendships get tested the most, we were definitely on edge. While we did grow to be very different from how we were back when we all became friends, we always stood together. Now, in the present day, we are getting ready to graduate together for the very last time, but now we are closer than ever. 

Looking back at all the years I spent, I realize how lucky I was to have spent it with Kat and Ang.  They always had my back through every moment, and I had theirs. We went through everything together. Now that we go on to the next chapter of our lives, I find it hard to believe we were once those little kids playing on the playground. 

As a little girl, I remember saying,  "I can't wait to grow up." Oh boy, if only I knew the responsibilities that would start building up as a young adult. I had a rough childhood growing up since my mom was never really in the picture, and my dad struggled with money. I never was able to get fully along with my parents because they would never sit down and communicate with me. In elementary school, I had a social worker that I had to keep updated all the time because of the depression I used to have to deal with. I used to cry and complain about school. I'm just so ready to grow up and graduate. Once I entered Uniondale High School, I noticed that in our announcements, our principal would always say" "U-STRONG." This made me realize how motivating our school is and that I am a strong, independent person who can get through anything. 

I used to be so insecure about myself and would point out every little thing about my appearance until I made new friends. These friends would constantly compliment my appearance and make me feel so good about myself. Teachers or staff complimented my looks, and few school staff cared about the students. Uniondale High School is full of positivity, and I'm so grateful to have experienced my last two years here. This school has shown me so much and taught me so many lessons that I will continue to pass on as I go on with my life. 

I have gone through many obstacles this past year, with my mom leaving us and having to learn to be independent. I had to learn to balance school and work and manage caring for my younger sisters. Many people kept doubting me and saying that I was not going to graduate, but here I am, proud of myself for getting through it all. I give it all to god and my siblings for pushing me and motivating me to continue this journey. It's been one hell of a ride, but I don't regret not one single moment. Thank you to everyone who talked down on me, believed in me, and motivated me to keep going because if it wasn't for me realizing I'm the only one gonna be able to push myself forward, I don't think I would be here right now saying I made it. Congratulations, class of 2024! We did it!

"I still have 12 years of school left; time is going by slowly." Twelve years later, here I  am in the year 2024. It's the year I turned 18; I will graduate and start the first few steps into adulthood and my future. This is where it all begins. Time is a precious thing. I didn't realize this until I looked back on it. When I was a little girl, I would always wish to be 18. Just the idea of growing up seemed so cool to me. But now, once I hit the age I was waiting for, it's like I wish I were a little girl again. I see little kids playing on the playgrounds and reminisce about how I once was in their shoes.  

 My leaving high school is me saying goodbye to my younger self. I spent all my life getting used to getting up early and going to school every day. It's a life that I will no longer relive again. I realized I took time for granted, getting used to always saying, "There's always next year." Now, can I say this? Well, not anymore. Time has not only shown me that it's valuable, but it's something that we need to cherish. Sometimes, I wish I had more time to mentally prepare, but are we ever ready? I don't think so. Leaving 

A life in which everything was quickly handed to me is hard because now life treats me like an adult with more responsibilities and pressure.  At the moment, I have never really thought about it this way. After opening my eyes, I saw I was leaving my childhood behind.

 I have so many memories that I will always keep. Even little moments that matter to me. I understood that holding any memory is a story that you will be able to share with others in the future. Memories become stories to tell. That's the cool part. Remembering good times and even bad ones as well. I will never forget this sentence: "Make mistakes while you're young." Mistakes are all a part of growing up. I would only have been able to learn life lessons if I made mistakes. It's all part of growing up. Good or bad memories will be held with me as long as I live. I will look back at it and use my stories to help others. Whenever something happens in school or outside, I always try to take pictures or videos because I know someday I will scroll up and want to look back at them. I know I will miss those days. 

Saying goodbye to anything is hard. It will be hard for me to say goodbye to this era of my life. I know so many people who are happy to leave high school, but if I'm going to be honest, I'm not. It's scary to think that I am building my future and another side of myself. I have been living since going to school from 7-3, which has been my whole life, surrounded by the same people daily. Now, I will be surrounded by people I don't know or have never met. I know that after graduation, it will be the last time I will see everyone since everyone will be in their own little world. Little things like this, I know that I have to say goodbye. The date is getting closer and closer. It's hitting more. I know everyone will have to go through this, and I didn't think my time would come this quickly. 

The time has come! It's all coming to an end. It's a big closure in my life that I won't come back to. I'm leaving and saying goodbye to my younger self. I am proud of who I am today and the amazing character I've built. I want to always remember that and cherish the time I have. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me. 

School is the part that has bothered me the most in my life; many good and bad things happened, and that changed me in many ways. When I arrived in this country, I thought, "How exhausting!" Since I was only supposed to be here for a year, I thought I did not have to try so hard.  I could not enjoy it because it would be so short, and I would change my life for a "better future." But I found something incredible: friends, a family, my future, and most importantly, myself.

I felt quite lost when I left Ecuador alone, as I was escaping an environment I didn't like and felt very sad. At first, I met many people quickly, but I never felt satisfied. Although there was honesty, it did not achieve a real connection.

I used to think I was the only one with problems and saw myself as a victim, but at school, I met three people who are now very close to me. These people changed my perspective and helped me connect with those I love. One of them is a friend who is always busy and sometimes very tired. She works long hours and yet she cleans her house. One day we went shopping, and she bought me a gift with her hard-earned money because I forgot to bring money. This gesture never changed me. 

The generosity and kindness of my friends taught me what friendship and sacrifice really mean. The friendship I developed here has been a fundamental pillar in my life. It has shown me that, despite difficulties, there are always people willing to support me and that it is worth investing time and effort in relationships. My friends have become my second family, giving me emotional support and helping me find my way in this new stage of my life.

Each step in this adventure, called life, challenges us and teaches us something new. And although sometimes we feel lost in a maze, friends, laughter, and moments always remind us that we are not alone. So, every day with courage, learning from the setbacks and celebrating the small victories on the path to our dreams.

A shift in confidence is all it takes to find yourself. It can change how you view yourself, your goals, your passion, and your state of mind. I haven’t always been such a confident person. All throughout middle school, I was always pessimistic about certain things I wanted to try or about any change in any way. 

The road that helped me gain this piece of my true self started with the love of basketball. It was all routine through middle school: I would go to a couple of classes, play basketball at recess, and then go to a couple more classes, and then I’d be back to playing basketball after school. Basketball needs every little bit of confidence in order to strive and compete against other players, and when you lack that, things become even harder. It’s a humbling experience, to say the least. 

However, experiences similar to what I mentioned need to take place to grow or change. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a sport, but it can be a competitive job, debates, relationships, etc. You get to look back, learn to be better, and have a more optimistic outlook on a situation. I say this because it’s exactly how I felt. Once I altered my mindset and gave myself some confidence to spark a change, it helped me tremendously through basketball and, most importantly, my real-life experiences. 

To make things clear, I’m neither the best nor a top-level athlete, but with the confidence that I gained through struggle and hardships. It made me a person who doesn’t shy away from challenges and made me confident to seek success in everything I try.

I've learned many things about myself at Uniondale High School. I've made many, many good decisions and many bad decisions. Marching band and track were the highlights of high school, and the COVID-19 year started my bad habits. Reflecting on my years, I realize there are many things I would change. COVID-19 year: virtual, fractured ankle, letting work snowball, not studying.

I fractured my ankle during a wrestling match. I got two screws in my ankle, and as I was about to come back, Covid hit. COVID-19 ended middle school early, and high school started virtually. Virtual was different; it allowed me to relax more. Virtual learning felt as easy as middle school, so I developed bad habits. I just did enough to get passed. Schoolwork gets boring, and doing more than the minimum is draining. I just wanted to have fun. It transferred throughout my high school career.

These bad habits were not for every class, just the boring ones. I learned discipline through sports and the marching band. The problem was I thought the consequences of not doing something even though I needed to were okay. A 65 was good enough. It was not till later I knew it wasn't. I knew it was good enough, but I still couldn't stop being lazy. The only times I'm not lazy are when I enjoy doing something or am pressured to do something. Sports is something I can give my all to because it comes naturally. Marching Band is something I want, so I gave it my all. Schoolwork stopped being natural and seemed forced. 

The things I realized during my high school years is that I got distracted. I did not feel the importance of school. Work, band, Sports, and having fun were all I was worried about. I never thought about what I would do after school was over. Now, I don't have another year to think. I have to step up the schoolwork to continue to work.

For me, high school wasn't a place where I would study and get work done to become someone in the future, but where I made tons of friends, memories, and experiences. It is a place that helped me get out of my comfort zone and socialize with people regardless of whether I wanted to or not. It was a place I didn't mind going five days a week, 8 hours a day, because it was fun. 

 I feel like I was robbed of my high school experience due to COVID-19.  When it happened, I thought it was the best thing because schools closed and went virtual; I was honestly so happy, jumping around the place and thinking how relaxing and fun it was going to be sleeping all day or just playing video games all day while "attending" school. And it was; I got to wake up early with my mom's cooking every morning, and no more starving myself because the school food was so bad. I got to sleep more, and especially during those Google Meets, I would sleep so much that I would forget to leave the meets and have the teachers yelling at me to wake up to tell me that the meet was over.  At times, I wouldn't wake up so they would kick me out and tell me the next day 

But what I enjoyed the most was going out with my friends while still doing school and just going into meets we weren't supposed to be in and trolling. It felt like a dream come true. However, because of this so-called dream coming true, I genuinely forgot to hand in work and just became full-blown lazy. My grades were always low, and I just did nothing about it; oh, how I wish I had taken school more seriously instead of thinking that everything would be alright if I made up work by the end of the quarter, which I never ended up making up. And to make things worse, I had to go to summer school, and I still didn't take things seriously because I never ended up going. Although I knew I needed to go because I was failing all my classes, I just never ended up going and never really stressed about it.  

Additionally, my parents never knew about this, and to this day, they still don't. They just assumed I passed the grade, but in reality, I didn't, and to be honest, I don't know how they did not find out. And like I've said before, I never really stressed about it and enjoyed my summer like I didn't just fail the grade. 

Then summer ended, and schools were reopening; I hated it because I just got so used to being virtual. Whenever I got my schedule, I immediately checked to see if I did fail because, for some reason, I thought I didn't when I knew  I did forget, given that I had nothing but donuts for grades, as my favorite teacher used to say. I was honestly not surprised, but I sure was scared for my life, and I say this because,  for one, how am I going to hide this from my parents? Two, If they somehow find out, what will I tell them? And to be honest, I don't think my mom would let me say a word when she found out I failed the grade.

For this reason, every single time the mail would come, I was the first one downstairs to see if report cards were handed out so that I could retrieve them and hide them from my parents because I did not want to die. School started, and it did not feel real that I failed the grade. I was still going to try and do my best to see if a miracle would come. And that's what I did; I did my best not to be lazy and hand in work for all my classes so that I would not stress about it. Until I didn't, 

I am so grateful to have such a fantastic guidance counselor like her because, without her help, I would've never been able to accomplish many things.  I didn't take her kindness for granted and tried my best to accomplish my goals. Due to that, I passed on to the 12th grade, which was a relief because I was in a panic throughout the years because I didn't know how my parents would feel about the situation. I constantly had my friends and my brother making fun of me and saying how I was going to get the beating of my life when my parents found out. I had amazing people who supported me and tried to help me. 

Despite all the help I received, I still have yet to help my issue of being lazy. Due to that, my guidance counselor had enough and took measures into her own hands, which I'm grateful for, but at the same time, not really. I say this because due to my constant laziness and never-ending zeros for grades, I was at risk of not graduating. And my guidance counselor decided to have a meeting with my dad and told him all about my risk of not passing. He was distraught, and it hurt him to see that I was never a man of my word and would lie, saying I was doing good in school, which I never really was.

Nevertheless, I knew I had to change and stop lying to my teachers, saying I would hand in the work soon and do it. And that's what I did, even though I sometimes need to remember to hand in certain things. I did my best to hand in all my work so I wouldn't be at risk of not graduating anymore. 

I can't wait to graduate and see the proud faces of my parents. Everything is possible if one puts their time and effort into what needs to be done, and one should never give up despite all the hate one might get. As Queen Elizabeth once said, "Never give up, never despair. When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat. Instead, they are more determined to struggle for a better future." 

Stepping into high school was my life's most nerve-wracking and anxiously awaited moment. Coming out of quarantine felt like I had been hidden from the world for  two years. I was scared I would not make friends; I had not socialized in what felt like so long. All my middle school friends had moved districts, moved states, or hadn't been in contact throughout the quarantine; I didn't recognize anyone. 

Walking to find my first class was like walking through an endless road; everything was so big, and the crowds were huge. I always wanted to grow up and experience being like those cool high school girls I saw in movies, but after this, I just wanted to go back into quarantine and not come out.

My first-year mindset was set on "I'm only here to get good grades." I realized everyone was in their own world, and I was just another in this big, crowded school. But Sophomore year was a very adventurous and exciting year. Many things happened; my cousins moved in with me, so we always went out and tried new things. I felt excited to go home and talk to them, excited for the weekend to come so we could spend another late night in the city. My sophomore year mindset was to "create fun high school memories you'll remember forever."

I started making more friends in 10th grade, and school became exciting. Of course, this was not because of the dreaded schoolwork but because I could converse about anything and everything with my closest friends. Chemistry was my biggest enemy; one second, I was confident I would get a good score on my exam, and the next thing you know, I got way lower than I expected. Seeing all my friends get an honor roll and me not being one of them kept making me feel stupid or that I wasn't good enough. I kept telling myself, "Just try to pass the class." 

Junior year was fun while it lasted; I experienced many up and downhills, having to start facing the reality that I would not spend much more time here. I've realized that I'm scared of the future. I'm afraid of all the possibilities there are to be, but I'm also excited to start experiencing life from a new perspective. A whole year awaits for new beginnings and endless adventures, but all I wish to become is someone my parents are proud of and make their sacrifices worth it. 

Uniondale High School, the Uniondale district, raised me to be who I am. These last four years have been thrilling. I've learned so much, and it joys me to see the following classes being taught by the same teachers who have taught me so much. Seeing these halls filled with  happiness also fills me with sadness, knowing I won't be a kid anymore. I've grown up and need to be an adult and start a life to keep me going. 

Graduating from high school marks a significant milestone in my life, symbolizing both an end and a new beginning. Graduating has filled me and many other students with emotions barely controllable. We are filled with happiness, sadness, and nostalgia. Many find it too good to be true. Personally, these past four years have been filled with good and bad endings. 

My first year was online due to COVID-19, and it was hard to focus. I struggled a lot, but returning to 10th was frustrating; trying to go back to normal while still wearing masks and having mandates . 

Eleventh and twelfth were the growing part of life. I felt like I was still that 14-year-old and knew I had to step it up. I needed to realize and figure out what I wanted to grow up to be, and that was being a veterinarian.

Choosing to be a veterinarian was deeply inspired by work and school. I currently go to Barry Tech BOCES for animal care, which helped me figure out if this was the right path for me. Many teachers helped with this dream of mine, stating that they knew I could do it. To achieve something this big will always be an award. I can't wait for the future to come, and then I can finally thank all those around me who supported and gave me the courage. 

I've never been an academic student, and I haven't gotten the best grades, but this year, I have definitely improved, and I couldn't be more thankful. With my grades, I didn't keep my hopes up on colleges reaching back, but finally, my stress was taken off because the number of schools that accepted me made me extremely happy.

 Jadelyne Morales, Class of 2024 of Uniondale High School. A sentence I yearned for a fact that I never thought I would hear so soon. I'm filled with happiness , but regret how I took my last school years as a joke. I could have completed more and gotten better opportunities, but one thing I really learned is the sentence my mother said once when I was in a bad mood and upset about outcomes: "Fix your face." It's something that always annoyed me, but she was right. I needed to fix my face and get over such a distraction. Looking back isn't going to change anything, but it will make me stuck in one place and not let me grow. I need to move on and see the doors opening for me and make this dream come true.