Graduating High School

There comes a time in a high school senior's career when he or she must walk the fine line of being once called a student to now being referred to as an adult. For one thing, being able to refer to yourself as an adult in today's society gives you a sense of purpose, of feeling like you belong in something so much more than you've ever dreamed of, of being apart of the bigger picture that God has created for you. Being a graduate gives you the ability to reach for the aspirations you have made long ago. It  means that you now have the ability to further yourselves whether it's in the military, work force, or expanding your knowledge in a university or junior college of your choice. It means that you, are now responisble for what you make of your life, for what you choose to do and for what sort of person you choose to be.

My baby brother graduated from high school last night. As an older sister I am so proud of him. I have this insane amount of pride when I think about all of the accomplishments he has had both in and out of school and I feel so happy that I was able to see him grow into the amazing young man he is today. I am happy to say that yes, I have had a say in how he has turned out. I have helped mold him into the sort of person he is happy to be and also wants to be. Nonetheless, I just wanted to wish my baby brother a congratulations! I am so proud of you little brother.

The commencement ceremony was... as usual a bore when watching from the sidelines. With 10 valedictorians each giving a speach that seemed to take... the living daylights out me (with the exception of one, it was quite hilarious), I sat near the top of the bleachers waiting in expectation for the friends and family of the graduates to make their way towards the field for the lei givings. When that time finally came, I was as excited as ever. To my expectation, it took nearly ten minutes to make my way down the somewhat forty steps to get to the field. Graduates and family members littered the field congratulating eachother on a job well done. Balloons, flowers, and leis among the hands and necks of everyone. People screaming out names, laughing at what seemed to be endless jokes that went unheard, along with tears of happiness which were among the faces I saw. It was a sight to behold. One that I had seen before as I went through the very same thing four years prior.

To think back after all those years, it seems as if nothing has changed. There's still the cliques in high school, the teacher everyone talks about because his exams are extremely hard. There's still that one student who makes everyone laugh or the all-star football player all the girls wish  they had as their boyfriend. After all these years, watching the commencement ceremony was like rewinding time in my favor. It brought back all those memories of laughing with friends about inside jokes, or catty fights we thought were serious but now in light of everything else, we find absolutely stupid. It brought back aspirations I have made years ago and have yet to accomplish, promises I made to myself, and goals I have set that one day I will soon mark off of my list. It's an amazing feeling to sit back and ponder on years ago, to bring forth memories you thought were long forgotten.

So to the graduates of Kaua`i High School, I wish you the very best that life has to offer. I hope that one day you will be able to look back on those amazing four years of your life and smile at all the hilarious memories you have made. To remember the first step you took on campus as a freshman, to the last step you took as a graduating senior when you were handed a diploma. Whenever you feel like life is taking a tole on you, remember that you have had numerous accomplishments in life already. So make the best of the life you have, learn something new everyday, dance to the beat of your own drum, and never take forgranted anything that makes you smile.