This following picture was took during the graduation ceremony for the class of 2015. According to Bernie Siegel, "God wants us to know that life is a series of beginnings, not endings. Just as graduations are not terminations, but commencements. Creation is an ongoing process, and when we create a perfect world where love and compassion are shared by all, suffering will cease."  This quote hits hard home to me essentially. Soon our class of 2016 will throw our hats up in the air just as the previous years have.

Some individuals are very excited to graduate, while others have a difficult time letting go.  I for one have mixed emotions about this soon upcoming event. At times I think of the enjoyable memories i've made and the close friends I have made. Then other times I desire to see the world and want to plan my future ahead. This puts me in an awkward situation, because most people are one-sided about graduating. 

Graduation however is a significant event in a student's life. Maybe to some finishing High school was difficult while others breezed on by. Many people state that high school days were the most memorable day of their lives, while other individuals claim there is so much more to life than high school. Whatever the case, I think some will remember the memories that were most fond to them.

Although, Lee High has drove me crazy at times I appreciate the time I've spent here. Some people will forever shape the way I am today and have left a huge impact on me. I'm thankful for the special friendships i've made and the crazy times with friends. Surprisingly, i'm thankful for the hard nights of studying, because I learned new things. My wise teachers I owe a lot of gratitude to because they have taught me new significant things. I'm also especially thankful for making mistakes and having setbacks because i've learned from them. These specific mistakes have helped me to become my best self. (Even though I still fail sometimes)

I want to especially thank you class of 2016, you've had remarkable impact on me.  I advise everyone to enjoy high school while you can, because eventually it will be over in a blink of an eye. I hope when graduation comes that even the people I didn't agree with we can put our differences aside and just be happy. Graduation marks a day of maturity and I know everyone is capable of fully succeeding if they try their best. Thank you senior class for being the best class of 2016 I could ask for!

One could say i'm not an average person and to be honest I take that as a compliment. One specific high school event I have fully enjoyed are pep rallies. Most individuals rarely take pride in their school, but I have always did my best to show some form of spirit. The picture above is of several of my seniors classmate, some other under-class man friends, and I. I have many friends that are participate in band, cheer leading, majorettes, flags, or actually play football. Looking back, I want to be able to say I supported these significant people in my high school days.

Most pep rallies are boisterous and cheerful. Our pep rallies are amazing,however many don't show as much spirit as others. According to Google, "pep is described as energy and high spirits; liveliness." At pep rallies we're called to be as noisy as we can and loud to show spirit for our school not sit in our seats and complain. 

Personally, I love dancing with Rachel and the cheerleaders a lot. Rachel teaches me my smoking dance moves during pep rallies! I love cheering and screaming for our school. The pep ralley student section is awesome as well, so shout out to you guys! Also the band plays fantastic and is enjoyable to listen to (I love the Fight Song). The majorettes do a splendid job twirling and flag girls you keep on gracefully swinging those flags! I can't forget to give a shout out to our phenomenal drum major and all the boys who play on the field every cold Friday night.

I hope that the pep-ralley memories last for a lifetime. One day I will look back and miss the Friday afternoon pep ralley sessions. I will miss attending a football games and supporting my team. Unfortunately, I realize one day this all will end in a blink of an eye. Even though I have mixed emotions about graduation, I will cherish these memories in my heart forever. These are the pep ralley days that i'll look back on and remember the care-free personalities of others. I will remember the excitement and cheering with my classmates. One day I will never be able to attend pep rallies again. I will hold these significant memories in my heart. 

Sleep is vital to the human body throughout the high school year. I have learned through my own personal experiences that you will encounter many sleepless nights due to insignificant things, homework, or stress. If you're anything like me, then you will procrastinate until the last minute which causes numerous amount of homework to be piled on you. According to Ernest Hemingway, "“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?”"  This quote is especially relevant when dealing with high school. I hope what further information I provide helps you with high school. I have concluded that you have to obtain a specific sleep schedule. 

I advise you to take a few simple electives this being that you can sleep peacefully and at ease in them. This meaning that most nights you will stay up late and wake up super early for school. Taking an easy class in first period or early in the morning is a blessing. Taking a peaceful nap in class you honestly can't get a better feeling than that. The best types of naps are in trig class in my case. The type of naps where you wake up from a deep sleep and drool all over the desk. Yes, those are the best naps! 

Then at other times you have to make sure to stay awake in dual credit classes those are extremely important--considering the material is what you would learn in a college core class. However, in any other class that is less important feel free to just sleep. I believe we should all be allowed to take thirty minute naps in school to increase productivity. This would be very beneficial and would increase a student's attention span and also concentration on the specific subject. 

I think many students would agree that napping is class is a wonderful feeling. I think we all have our days, when we just need a big nap. Sit back and relax because you won't have many simple high school days left. Enjoy life while you can and be carefree. Just don't fall in asleep in a strict teacher's class. ;) Lastly, let the nap ever be in your favor. 

Lunch is an important social time in during the day in high school. Occasionally, some students have time to converse or talk in the hall or classrooms. Typically, however most social time occurs during lunch. Although, the food isn't very enticing always, this gives all students time to relax and take a break. I have made numerous amount of memories during lunch throughout high school.

If I can advise you of one important thing; be sure to bring your own salt! Simply because lunchrooms across America have put restrictions on salt it appears. My close friend, Kenzie bought salt and pepper to bring to lunch every day which is a complete essential. I'm appreciative for the food i'm fed, but sometimes salt truly helps enhance the flavor. 

Always take into consideration that in high school we do not receive "silent lunch" for talking loud. The cafeteria is always boisterous and far from the term silent. In middle school, multiple times we would receive silent lunch if we were became overwhelmingly loud. I came to the realization that this quickly changes when you come to high school. The cafeteria truly sounds like a bunch of animals, but i'm perfectly fine with that.

My experience of lunch has always been quite interesting. My ninth grade year I was convinced that the acronym "cl" stood for chocolate lovers. Completely clueless that this stood for chocolate laxatives. That was a wonderful experience and if you consume over almost a full bag of laxatives be sure to drink plenty of water! Now to this day all I can do is look back and simply smile.

Adjusting to lunch was always difficult for me at first. Lunch in high school is usually divided into different groups or categories. Middle school students are usually over-whelmed at first but then adjust. You have the decision of where you prefer to sit and are considered much more responsible. You have free time to do anything you want--of course you must still abide by school rules.

Enjoy the time you have at lunch in high school, because life soon becomes hectic. Be carefree and don't ever take any moment for granted. Socialize with friends and peers because life quickly changes. Overall, reach out to new people at lunch or spend time with close friends. Enjoy lunch with your peers while it lasts! 

High school has defined me as a person and taught me valuable lessons. Also, it has taught me that change occurs frequently. Prior to my knowledge I thought everything in the world stayed the same--I was in for a true surprise. Previously before high school, I had found a sport that relieved me from stress and was my passion. Running became a hobby of mine in middle School and carried shortly on to high school. My former gym coach enforced upon us that we had to run the mile for a physical fitness test; unlike other children my age I enjoyed running the mile. My time slowly decreased the more I ran and pure excitement rushed over me to just participate. That's when my parents encouraged me to run track and I eagerly decided to give track a try. Little did I know that I would learn about team effort and life lessons.

All throughout middle School I ran fast-paced sprints. I had almost grown a custom to this method of running. The people who did sprints were considered sprinters, and were very unrelated to distance runners. Even our practices varied differently between each individual, because we all had different events. Although I wasn't essentially the best sprinter, I loved it with every fiber of my being. Sprinting at track meets was truly exhilarating.  However, involuntarily my new coach at high school was going to place me with the distance runners.

When I first found out, I was placed with distance runners, I was somewhat discouraged.  I felt that I excelled the most in sprints and short distances. My coach eventually persuaded me to do distance after a few practices of my freshman year. Surprisingly and much to my astonishment I felt great running with other distance runners. I came to the conclusion I did much better in distance races in practices and also meets. Shortly after I was placed on a distance relay team.

I couldn't be happier with sudden change coming to high school and becoming a distance track runner. Converting over to distance had many benefits, our relay team got to advance all the way to the state track meet for two years in a consecutive row! Being on distance also drove me to try my best for our relay team. I realized that life is much like distance, the journey may be long and unbearing at times, but the key is to make the most of it. More importantly, it's vital to finish the race and feel a sense of true accomplishment that you completed the course. 

What one may have thought to be an average night certainly changed. The night before prom, also known as my high school pre-prom had to be a very interesting night of my life. Most girls find excitement in elaborate dresses, acrylic nails, and distinct makeup for prom.  Some girls spend hundreds of dollars on this special occasion, while most guys are left wondering what the big deal is. If you have the opportunity to go to your high school prom I highly recommend going at least one time. However, I would like to share my personal experience of my pre-prom. I've learned throughout life in high school you have to simply outlive through the complete chaos and try to make the best of every situation.

The strong aroma of paint almost took my breath. A variety and an array of many paint colors were spread throughout the salon. My close friend, Maggie had convinced me to go to the nail salon before prom to get our nails "done." I sat for what seemed like eternity while I received a pedicure and the worker vigorously massaged my legs. Shortly afterwards I walked across the room and let the other workers begin to paint my fingernails. "I'll have a plain pink polish, please." I said.

Unfortunately the nail salon workers messed up my nails and painted them a totally different color. That's when my boyfriend Nate, stepped into the nail salon and asked me politely if I was ready. I replied wearily "No, I have to let them repaint my nails." Nate let out an exasperated sign and then a small chuckle and surprisingly waited patiently in the chair beside me while I had my nails perfected. As soon as my nails had dried outside the salon stood Maggie and her boyfriend Hunter also waiting on me. We quickly rushed out of the nail salon. I didn't know that my nails would be the least of my worries on this night.

As soon as we all arrived at the car we all discussed where we were going next. Eventually we all agreed to going to the well-known restaurant "Chili's." Everyone was starving and we hadn't eaten dinner yet.  Much to our surprise Chili's had an open booth awaiting us upon arrival. Maggie sat directly across from me at the table, while Nate sat across from Hunter. We chatted over small talk, excited for the delicious meals we had ordered. Eventually the food was delivered to our table. Of course I had ordered my favorite platter-chicken with sweet iced lemon tea.  

We still continued our conversation, while we devoured our food. I savored each bite of my food, simultaneously while I scarfed my food down. I added extra lemons to my tea to enhance the flavor. Laughter filled the room-mostly from us. That's when my boyfriend told a hysterically funny joke, at least I thought it was. I took a drink of my tea and started profusely choking on a seed from a lemon, spraying the drink all over our table-top. My friends and boyfriend thought it was an usual joke from me. Then they got up from the table and left me in the booth.

I was awoken by my boyfriend vigorously shaking my leg and screaming "Lauren!" I started laughing uncontrollably and everyone in the restaurant looked at me horrified. "Why are you laughing, do you realize what even happened?!" Nate exclaimed. I had no idea what had just occurred, so I looked at him puzzled. "You just passed out, Lauren." Nate replied. Then Maggie informed me that I was convulsing and had completely blacked out. I didn't say much on the way home, my heart rate was steadily increasing with each breath I took. Maggie, Hunter, and Nate all comforted me while we traveled home.

I have come to realization that I don't usually have the best of luck, but sometimes the best stories happen from unexpected things. My pre-prom was far from normal or average. One day you can look back on the simple mishaps and laugh. High school and the learning experiences will help shape you. I advise you to cherish every moment and be involved in as much as you can. And if you have the opportunity arrange pre-prom plans of your own.  (716)

   

The roar of chaos and loud noises echoed throughout the building. The variety of odors and smells were quite overwhelming. The amount of diverse people were simply indefinite. The pit of my stomach clenched and my heart beat profoundly out of my chest. Almost every person in a complete rush to their destination, while others just stood by. No one had prepared me for what was yet to come. You may have or may have not guessed the specific place but this was the description of Lee High school. Most had anticipated this day including me until the courses had quickly changed. Our student body had been in school for almost a month now but I still was adjusting daily to the new schedule. I felt completely alone and clueless in this unknown environment. This was just the beginning of my freshman year.

To my dismay the tardy bell rang and everyone had already made their way to their assigned classroom. I stood in the hallway and began to hysterically cry. Filled with anxiety, I roamed the halls and made any excuse to not go to class. I felt socially unaccepted and mentally drained. That's when my economics' teacher came to my complete rescue. She asked, "Are you okay?" I couldn't even attempt to answer her question because I was sobbing so hard. She then grabbed my hand gently, but firmly and said "Please come with me." Reluctantly I let her guide me around the school. 

Out of all the places in the school here I was standing in front of the guidance office. I most certainly didn't want to look desperate; I was much too prideful. My economics' teacher lead me into the office and spoke to my assigned guidance counselor. She said "I believe she may need to speak to you." Then she gave me a quick brief smile and walked away. Little did I know that on that day my perspective would change forever. That's when I poured my heart and every single part of me to my guidance counselor. She listened to every single word. I could barely hold on to my composure. Then to my surprise my counselor started tearing up. She offered me reassurance and comforted me. She explained to me to seek God and trust him in every life situation. That advice couldn't be more perfect to apply to my life.

Now this current year is my senior year of high school and my anxiety has began to fade away. I must say I have learned very valuable life lessons during this experience. Simply learn to cherish every moment, laugh hysterically, and learn from your mistakes. Remember that you as an individual are not alone in whatever you may face in high school or in general. Smile more and offer a helping hand to those who may have fallen. Cherish the people who love you truly and never take for granted how much they care for you. Be confident in yourself and spread positive vibes to others. Learn something interesting and new daily. Be kind- you never know what someone could be going through. Overall, just enjoy high school even if it smells horrendous and is intolerably loud. Don't worry or let your heart be troubled, because it will in time work out. You have four years of high school, that's approximately 2,103,795.06 minutes. That may seem like an endless about of time to some, but it's truly not. Enjoy every minute and every second because time doesn't stand still for anyone. I know one day I will look back at all the significant moments I have had at high school and there isn't a doubt a smile will come across my face.