Olivia Johnson

EWC 4U

Mr. Breaton

June 6, 2013

The last month of grade 12

We are gathered here today to reminisce about the past four years we have all spent together.  As the last month of grade 12 dawns upon us all, I ask you to stop and think about what the last four years have been like for you. Were they full of happy memories and laughter with your friends? Were they full of sorrow and heartbreak? Perhaps a bit of both? Either way, for most of us it’s almost over. Some of you will be jumping with joy, ready to get the hell out of this school and move on with your life. And some of you will be mourning your last days walking through these halls and seeing all of your friends everyday. But this, as everything does, must end. Whether you’re ready or not.

Now think back to your first days of grade 12. The year was full of promise; it was a fresh start to do better in school, be a better person. Because you had made it, you were a senior. As the year flies by with seemingly endless projects and assignments, you find yourself working harder than you ever have before, all because of that big scary thing everyone hasn’t shut up about in the last two years. University. Where you might be going or what you might be doing seems to be the only thing any grade 12 can talk about anymore.

But as June hits we all seem to have grasped at the idea of what our futures hold for us. Either moving away to go to school, staying home, taking a year off, or doing a victory lap. It’s all done, everything is decided. Now the only thing standing in your way of that future is this last month.This for many of us is a bittersweet moment, as you countdown the days until your last exam. You are more than ready to be finished with all the assignments and the stress of final exams but at the same time you aren’t ready to say goodbye to all your friends and your life as you know it. But you are so excited to be starting university and “ real life” as many of your teachers like to call it. Leaving high school is a big deal, you’ve grown up so much in the last 4 years and the halls you walk down everyday have become a second home, they are comforting and familiar.

And as June stretches towards its end the weather is getting warmer and days are getting longer, your attention span is as good as a five year olds that has been hyped up on sugar for the last three days and your motivation is, well, non existent. Because lets face it, midterms are over we’ve all accepted our offers, we are fucking ready for summer. As each day drags by it becomes harder and harder to wake up in the mornings and you are less and less willing to sit through your period four class listing to your teacher drag on about essays. But being the good student you are, you somehow find the strength to get through that last creative comp, or culminating project, because you know its all going to be worth it when you hear your name called out as you walk across that stage, wearing your gown, cap, and biggest smile. When you finally know you made it through these last four years. When you are finally ready to say goodbye to high school.