No matter what you do in life there is going to be the good, the bad, and the ugly. As I am just days away from graduation, I’ve been looking back at my high school career and reflecting on all the good, and all the bad, and all the ugly.

I still remember my first day of high school like it was last week. Walking into this new building, being intimidated by all the upperclassmen, trying my best not to act like a stereotypical freshman. I was terrified, but I wasn’t going to show it. After a few weeks things clicked, and it was no longer fear but excitement. I made so many new friends and so many amazing memories freshman year, especially in 2nd period biology (the good). I also broke my foot that year which prevented me from auditioning for the Norwin Theatre Company spring musical (the bad), and can’t forget freshman swimming (the ugly). Next thing I knew freshman year was coming to an end and I was about to become a sophomore.

Sophomore year didn’t stick with me as much, it wasn’t a super memorable year. I was finally able to audition for the musicals and made it into the cast. That started my high school theatre career, which has treated me so well(the good). Then there were relationships that didn’t turn out well for me (the bad), and then the fights I had with my guidance counselor trying to change around my schedule (the ugly). With the blink of an eye, junior year was upon us.

This was the year I really buckled down and tried my hardest to keep my grades up. It wasn’t always easy, especially with honors physics and calculus, but it was rewarding to see those A’s (the good). Then there was the whole Coronavirus pandemic, we don’t need to go into that(the bad). Can’t forget about all the stress I was under with starting to research and prepare to apply to colleges, the SAT, trying to schedule for my senior year, that was very draining and there were lots of tears that year (the ugly). Now just like that senior year.

I came into senior year a new person. Quarantine allowed me time to become the best version of myself and that played a huge role in making my senior year such a successful one. I had so much more confidence, made so many friends, and just took as many opportunities as possible. There are so many things that I would consider as “the good” this year, I couldn’t possibly list them all, but becoming closer with certain people has changed my life immensely. Then there was, again COVID (the bad), which we don’t need to go into, it hit everyone hard. Then we have (the ugly) which would have to be all the sentimental, ugly crying that has happened as our time at Norwin High School comes to an end. Or the fact that I am sitting here writing this congested with an ear infection, and feeling terrible from being out in the rain for our Sunday show of The Little Mermaid, but that show was one of my favorites so it lives with “the good.”

At the end of the day I regret nothing that has happened throughout my high school career, it’s what made me who I am today, and I like who I am. It’s been hard to say goodbye to this chapter in my life, as it has treated me well, but at the same time I am beyond excited for the next chapter. To all my underclassmen out there, enjoy every minute of the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’ll look back on it one day and appreciate every minute of it. To my seniors, it’s been real, good luck to each and everyone of you. To everyone who has impacted my life, thank you, I wouldn’t be where I am without you all. Here’s to the end of this chapter, and the beginning of the next chapter!