High School and Beyond
By: Chelsey Snyder
Throughout these last thirteen years of school, I have gained countless friends and I have definitely acquired a few enemies. Four years ago, I was preoccupied with friends backstabbing me, naïve relationships and arguing with my parents. A lot has changed since then, but some of my quirks have remained same. I still laugh like a hyena, I still can’t take a joke, I still make excellent grades, and sleeping will forever be my favorite hobby.
I have gone from being glued to the hip of a friend, to not even being able to relate to them anymore. I’ve endured hours of tears and heartache due to faulty relationships and broken friendships. As I look back now, I cannot believe how many so-called best friends I’ve had, now walk past me as if they’ve never known me.
As I’ve gained companions and watched them deteriorate as acquaintances, there have been a few that have remained by my side, holding my hand, since the first day we’ve met. For seven years now, I have been extremely close to a girl that has been there every time I needed her. Madison Druin is not only a friend of mine, I consider her a sister as well. Dancing like an idiot in the passenger seat of your car to ridiculous rap songs will never get old. Your late night phone calls and texts asking what the homework was or begging for help on a paper will never get too annoying. You are the very best friend I’ve ever had and even though you moved to Indiana
My personality would be completely different if it weren’t for a refreshingly unique girl named Bethany Short. I still remember walking to the bathroom on the first floor freshman year, and you shouted “OH MY GOSH IT’S CHELSEY SNYDER!” You creeped me out pretty bad and I thought you were the oddest person until Mrs. Young’s class last year. Getting close to you was one of the best decisions I’ve made in high school. You make me laugh harder than anyone ever has before. I wish I could have you around 24/7. You’re a true friend; you take up for me against anyone who even looks at me wrong.
I’ve had many boyfriends in my high school days, and looking back I’ve learned so many lessons. The number one thing I’ve learned from my past relationships, are the qualities I needed to avoid in future love interests. Samuel Harris has opened my eyes to what a healthy relationship should be. Since day one, he has never left my side or even threatened to. I look forward to the future I hope to have with him.
Along with these three people, I've survived high school with the help of a few others. I would've had an anxiety attack everyday in Precal and College Algebra if it weren't for Hayley Wyman's expertise in math. Adwin Lowry has kept a smile on my face each class we've had together. Adwin and I hold the title of the Most Unique superlative of our class, and without him I would be a little too normal. Of all the teachers I've had, Mr. Ross has made the hugest impact on my life. Whether it be helping me write papers in his class freshman year, or cracking up at his eccentricities this year, he has been nothing but a joy to have in my life.
I never understood why my parents were so strict on me my first couple of years of high school. While my friends were going out with their boyfriends or going to see Rated R movies, I wasn't allowed to do much of anything. My dad told me that I was too young, and too many bad things could happen. Looking back, I see just how lucky I am to have parents that care about me so much. It was always so difficult to see they were just trying to protect me. I used to say I'd let my children do whatever they wanted when the time came, but I intend on raising my children the same way. With love, care, and caution.
In the past four years, I have had countless new experiences. I attended my first football games that I found surprisingly fun, despite my lack of knowledge with sports. In Mr. Muller's Chemistry class sophomore year, I made my first C. That was the last grade lower than a B I ever hope to make. I tripped over a branch outside of the tech building and busted my butt in front of everyone around last year. It was embarrassing and hilarious all in the same. I had scrapes on the palms of my hands for a week! I've even made my way to the principal's office a few times! We have many firsts to look forward to in the successful lives we all have ahead, and this speech is one of them. Reflecting on my high school years has shown me just how many lessons I've learned and memories I've made.
The main and most valuable thing high school has done for me, is helped me grow up - with ease. I think I can speak for the whole of us when I say that freshman year; we had no idea who we were or what type of people we would grow up to be. Our minds still had the middle school mentality and ultimately- we were still children. I have learned how to resolve arguments with friends without letting it escalate. I found out quickly that procrastination is not the answer to completing homework or writing assignments. I have realized that as long as I'm happy with myself, no one else's opinion matters. I've formed my own style of thinking and my own fashion sense. I've began to accept responsibility for my actions and I can finally admit when I'm wrong. High school has taught me numerous things that I'll never forget.
The memories I've made in high school are imprinted in my heart and I don't intend to ever forget them. I've laughed to the point of tears countless times, I've screamed louder than ever at football games, and I've loved my peers with a bigger heart than I ever knew I had.
In the next step of my life, I will be attending JCTC with a full ride scholarship. I'm undecided of my major as of yet, but I have plenty of time to decide. I don't have any idea where the future will take me, but I know that high school and every single one of you around me have prepared me for my adult life. I believe in the Class of 2011, and I'm glad to end one journey and begin a new one with each of you respectfully by my side.
Along with these three people, I've survived high school with the help of a few others. I would've had an anxiety attack everyday in Precal and College Algebra if it weren't for Hayley Wyman's expertise in math. Adwin Lowry has kept a smile on my face each class we've had together. Adwin and I hold the title of the Most Unique superlative of our class, and without him I would be a little too normal. Of all the teachers I've had, Mr. Ross has made the hugest impact on my life. Whether it be helping me write papers in his class freshman year, or cracking up at his eccentricities this year, he has been nothing but a joy to have in my life.
I never understood why my parents were so strict on me my first couple of years of high school. While my friends were going out with their boyfriends or going to see Rated R movies, I wasn't allowed to do much of anything. My dad told me that I was too young, and too many bad things could happen. Looking back, I see just how lucky I am to have parents that care about me so much. It was always so difficult to see they were just trying to protect me. I used to say I'd let my children do whatever they wanted when the time came, but I intend on raising my children the same way. With love, care, and caution.
In the past four years, I have had countless new experiences. I attended my first football games that I found surprisingly fun, despite my lack of knowledge with sports. In Mr. Muller's Chemistry class sophomore year, I made my first C. That was the last grade lower than a B I ever hope to make. I tripped over a branch outside of the tech building and busted my butt in front of everyone around last year. It was embarrassing and hilarious all in the same. I had scrapes on the palms of my hands for a week! I've even made my way to the principal's office a few times! We have many firsts to look forward to in the successful lives we all have ahead, and this speech is one of them. Reflecting on my high school years has shown me just how many lessons I've learned and memories I've made.
The main and most valuable thing high school has done for me, is helped me grow up - with ease. I think I can speak for the whole of us when I say that freshman year; we had no idea who we were or what type of people we would grow up to be. Our minds still had the middle school mentality and ultimately- we were still children. I have learned how to resolve arguments with friends without letting it escalate. I found out quickly that procrastination is not the answer to completing homework or writing assignments. I have realized that as long as I'm happy with myself, no one else's opinion matters. I've formed my own style of thinking and my own fashion sense. I've began to accept responsibility for my actions and I can finally admit when I'm wrong. High school has taught me numerous things that I'll never forget.
The memories I've made in high school are imprinted in my heart and I don't intend to ever forget them. I've laughed to the point of tears countless times, I've screamed louder than ever at football games, and I've loved my peers with a bigger heart than I ever knew I had.
In the next step of my life, I will be attending JCTC with a full ride scholarship. I'm undecided of my major as of yet, but I have plenty of time to decide. I don't have any idea where the future will take me, but I know that high school and every single one of you around me have prepared me for my adult life. I believe in the Class of 2011, and I'm glad to end one journey and begin a new one with each of you respectfully by my side.
