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Just got done writing a five page paper about graduation. Is it stupid to admit that I cried while writing it? Is it wrong to miss the life I use to have? Is it wrong to hate the life I have now? Why did I trade it in? Actually, why did someone trade it in for me?.....
It was the week before the fateful day when we would go out and never look back. Things were never going to be the same; we all knew it but kept it suppressed beneath the weight of our other emotions. We were all too busy running around finishing up final projects, gabbing about dresses, trying on gowns, and laughing at the seventh graders because they still had one more year to go. Graduation was only four days away and we were all well aware. It was the Monday morning when our teacher, Mrs. Topp, came to the front of the class and said,
“You will all have to give speeches. You know that right?”
“What,” we all shot back.
“ I guess we neglected to inform you of that point. Well, you will all have to write a
speech thanking those who will be at your ceremony. You can take the next hour to
write them. Make them one to two minutes long,” Mrs. Topp informed us.
I don’t know about everyone else but I was freaking out. I got into a group with all my friends, and we tried to think how we could sum up our nine years at St. Matthias into two minutes.
“ I don’t know about you but I have no idea what I am gunna write about,” I said solemnly.
“Me either,” said Britty.
“ That,” said Lauren, “ makes three of us.”
“I’m gunna thank my mom for sure though,” I replied.
We all agreed we would thank our mothers. My group continued naming random people and eventually our speeches were done. The rest of the week flew by so fast we were all shocked when the big day came. Eighth grade had come and gone by too quickly for our liking. I was definitely not ready to leave my “ safety bubble.”
The morning ceremony, I went through like a drone, not fully aware of what was going
on. I was so anxious for the oncoming night I could hardly wait. According to the rest of the school we had graduated, but it wasn’t official to me until that diploma was in my hands.
The night ceremony was so much more heart wrenching. This was the real deal! Our class, the class of 2004, looked so grown up walking down the aisle of our church in our formal procession. Our flowing red gowns swept the floor. All the parents snapping photos of “their little babies.” We sat down together and waited as our key speaker, Mr. Heinecke, stood up at the ambo looking just as nervous as I felt.
“D-day. A fateful day. Just like today…” Mr. Heinecke started.
“What the heck does D-day have to do with graduation,” I whispered to my friend.
“ I have no clue. I am just as lost as you,” my friend whispered back.
We listened for what seemed like forever as Mr. Heinecke attempted to tie the two together. He eventually fit the two together and the ceremony continued with the presentation of awards. I was surprised to find that I had won the Presidential Award of Excellence. I was completely shocked as was my family. The speeches came next.
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Then came the presentation. Our computer/ gym teacher had put together, with the help of our parents, a slide show presentation of our class. This time I was laughing so hard I started to cry. (It was a good thing I was wearing waterproof mascara that night.) Each slide consisted of our eighth grade picture, fourth grade picture, and our first grade picture. Then group photos I totally forgot about. We all looked so primary. It was crazy to see how much we had grown up.
Next in line were the diplomas. Now it was official. We had graduated. Lastly, we shared our graduation song with everyone. We had chosen, “Lean on Me.” It was perfect. We proceeded down the aisle one at a time after we finished the song. I was flushed with excitement, as my face showed. We rushed downstairs changed and ran out the door. It was party time.
The dance lasted from 8 to 10:30. We shook our tail feathers non- stop like we would never dance again. Afterwards, we carried on the annual tradition of the school and headed over to Chaamps. I ate a ton and took so many pictures you wouldn’t believe. It had been along night and I finally walked into my door at 1:30 AM. It was hard to believe that the party really was over. I now was a high schooler. I had so many emotions that night. Sadness, happiness, excitement, anxiousness, but the one emotion I didn’t have was loneliness. I guess what I am trying to say by this whole story is that the friends you have are going to be your friends no matter what happens. Make the most of your grade school experience and cherish the times you have together. Through graduation and family troubles they will always stand by your side. Forever imbedded in my brain will be the last words we had together, “Lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on. For it won’t be long till I’m going to need somebody to lean on.”
yeah so thats it, i had to "add" some stuff cuz i didnt know what some people said, but all in all thats pretty much what happened
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everyone was sad that we were leaving and it was our last time together as a class in front of the whole school
every teacher said our class was something special and i really agree
the dance was the best dance ive ever been too. 20 times better than homecoming. during the last song.. the 80's version of Lean On Me.. everyone cam in a giant mosh and danced and sang and cried and screamed at the top of our lungs and thats when i started to ball because that was the best moment ive ever had at that school and it was going by too quickly... everybody was together without any cliques and it was amazing
up until that day.. i was so happy to graduate.. then that day.. i didn't wanna leave! aww that made me such a sap. i miss st matthias so much
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#1 I HELD YOUR HAND
#2 I HELD YOUR HAND
#3 I HELD YOUR HAND
AND #4 I HELD YOUR HAND
#5 I DONT EVER REMEMBER SAYING THAT
#6 MY NAME IS BRITTANY
#7 YOU SHOULD JUST SAY THAT I WAS THE COOLEST PERSON AT ST MAFUCKINGTTHIAS AND GET IT OVER WITH, CUZ WE ALL KNOW YOU ARE ITCHING TO SAY IT.
#8 YOU SHOULD CALL VERONICA AND ASK HER IF MY ENGLISH PAPER IS DUE TOMORROW
#9 I LOVE YOU
#10 CALL ME
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Eileen.... the dance I know! no cliques! its was amazing. !!!!!!!!!!!!
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