June 9, 2020
It’s hard for me to comprehend that this is my last year as an LHS student. I can remember it all—hellacious amounts of homework and exhausting pacer tests—like it was yesterday.
It would be easier for me to say that my high school experience was nothing but four years of stress, procrastination and boredom, but if I said that, I’d be lying.
It may sound dramatic, but this school has shaped me into the person that I am today.
I entered high school scared and shy, traits I desperately wanted to change about myself. I knew the best way to accomplish this goal was to force myself to do something I never in million years would have thought of doing. That’s why I auditioned for the winter musical and eventually the fall play, and the rest is history.
My stage fright somehow dissipated, and I suddenly couldn’t keep myself off the stage. From then on, I took it upon myself to try as many new things as possible.
I joined numerous clubs, my favorite being the now-defunct Improv Club. I had even done some sports, although that didn’t last very long.
I found myself in the chorale my junior year, which was definitely unexpected because I never thought I’d be the singing type, but that’s what four years at this school has done for me. It taught me so much about myself that I never knew. It helped me meet friends that I know I’m going to love and cherish forever.
My stage fright somehow dissipated, and I suddenly couldn’t keep myself off of stages. From then on, I took it upon myself to try as many new things as possible.
I saved the best for last. This year, I joined the journalism program, which gave me a way to showcase my artistic ability. I used to draw only for pleasure, but journalism showed me that I can display my talents in a professional manner.
I want to thank The Lighthouse adviser Ms. Pastor and my best friend Angelena Barcia for encouraging me to join the program.
LHS isn’t by any means perfect, but there’s something about it that is so warm and inviting, and by this, I don’t mean the lack of air conditioning.
I will never forget the excitement I felt as I walked into the school as a freshman, or the comfort I experienced when I entered the band room or the class trips where I got to talk to my favorite teachers.
Next year, I will have a new start as a Red Hawk at Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., but in my heart, I’ll always be a Golden Bear.
