It’s that time of the year where excitement and relief pours through the minds of most students. A time to relax and start preparing for the next year as the school term comes to an end and students begin their summer adventures. However, for numerous students there is no returning as students proceed to the next chapter of their lives.
On June 10th, 2017, 218 students from Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies wrapped up their 4 years of high school through a final graduation where they were rewarded for their hard efforts and recognized for their achievements. Throughout the ceremony there were tears of joy and sadness as acquaintances reflected and shared their memories and own opinions to the class of 2017. Several valedictorians and Associated Student Body members were called to the stage to reminisce and give advice to fellow classmates.
An anonymous student exclaimed, “ Although high school has played a huge part of my life, I do not feel very sad thinking back on all our memories. I do not view today as a ending but instead a halftime. This halftime is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and our development. It allows us to shape and correct our mistakes and improve our weaknesses to ultimately prepare us for the full game that we need to take on. We are no longer under the comfort of home and need to make our own decisions as well as choose our own paths. We have nothing to fear because we are prepared to face what’s to come and our teachers and classmates have helped us learn to do so.”
Graduation signifies a coming of age and highlights individuality. It is a time for seniors to prepare themselves for future endeavors and use the knowledge of all their education so far to strengthen and hone their skills to ultimately become a great individual.