To The Seniors

To The Seniors

Ms. Irvine

Dear Class of 2021,

I think it would be an understatement for me to say that it’s been a wild ride. A better metaphor would compare this past year to the Turkish Twist at Canobie Lake Park- no seats, no buckles, just pure gravity and adrenaline pushing you to the wall while you hang on for dear life. I think this makes it all the more impressive that YOU DID IT! It is your last official day of high school. Congratulations!

I know that I have never ~officially~ taught your grade, but I do feel as though I know you all. Whether it be from sitting in on your AP workshops last year, chatting with you all in the 40 ft. bathroom line while on duty, or working with the senior staff members of the newspaper, I have learned that this graduating class is one of success, dedication and an impeccable sense of humor.

I’m positive that the last few years have probably felt like both the longest and shortest years of your life. You have faced intense obstacles, grown as people and attempted to figure out who you all are. In the moment, high school feels like it is your whole world. Then one day, you look out to the horizon and see a new future ahead of you and realize that this life is a lot more intricate that you once thought. That day is today.

The truth is, high school is a small piece of the pie. I like to think of it like the warm up- you are just getting your muscles ready for the real deal. You’ve learned how to solve problems, collaborate and have fun, and now it is time to put these skills to the test. You may be entering the workforce, taking a gap year, heading to college, or still figuring things out. No matter what your journey entails, one thing reigns true: you still have a long way to go.

That’s meant to be an optimistic sentiment. You all still have such interesting roads ahead of you, more knowledge to gain, and plenty more failures to endure. The past few years have felt like forever and provided you with memories to last a lifetime, but they are not even close to the heart of your life. That’s still to come.

So don’t think of this as an ending to one life and the beginning of another. Don’t even think of this as the start of a new chapter. Think of this time as the transition from the warm up to the big game. You’ve practiced your skills, reviewed your tapes and are ready for the best part. Just don’t forget your fundamentals on the field.

Congratulations to the class of 2021!

All the best,

Ms. I