For twelve years now, we have been shuffled through classrooms, learning all we need to learn to get ready for life beyond high school. Now, as we reflect on these last four years that we have spent in high school and brace ourselves for the shock wave of growing up, we are forced to say farewell to many parts of our lives.

Over the last four years, many of us have suffered a teacher who pushed us too hard, classmates who made our days difficult, drama that caused issues of all sorts. Suddenly, we are left to ponder whether to admit that we will, in fact, miss some of those things. I, myself, am forced to say goodbye to the place where I grew up and into my passion; a place where I found that I can do what I love and not just do something to make money. I am faced with bidding adieu to Mr. Woodward and Mainstream. I am faced with, well, facing it all.

I say “thank you” to every single teacher who pushed me and to all the administrators who helped me get where I need to be. While it might be easy for me to say goodbye, as I have been anticipating the end of high school since the beginning of high school, for others it will be a difficult time because these have been – as the old adage goes – the best years of their lives.

Sports teams have flourished, school spirit has molded some into passionate fans, and art has captivated people. The idea of leaving and moving on – to a place that will keep us in state or perhaps out – can be daunting. This is why I’m writing this now instead of at the very end of the year.

We are on the precipice of diving into uncharted waters with nothing holding us back and absolutely no idea what waits for us on the other side.

Saying goodbye to high school isn’t just saying goodbye to four years. It is leaving behind our last feeling of childhood comfort. The out-of-staters will go hours from home for college and may not know even a single person in their new surroundings. The in-state people are going will be closer to home but in new surroundings. Each group will face academic pressures and challenges they’ve never seen before. The students going on to work or the military will truly grow up as they fully enter the adult world. These people will truly leave their childhood on the graduation stage.

Some may say I’m overreacting or that this isn’t such a big deal. Some can handle this and have simply embraced the fact that this is the last year without real and serious responsibilities. I don’t know about some of you, but the idea of being six hours away at The University of New Haven – my school for next year (Go Chargers!) – is terrifying. My closest relative is a three-hour drive away, which frightens me just enough.

In just a handful of weeks, we will leave our carelessness, our childhoods, and so much more at the door when we exit these halls one last time. So, before it is too late, I advise you to take a moment to say goodbye – really say it. Say goodbye to teachers, to friends and, mostly, to this version of yourself. Before you know it, this will all be just a distant memory you’ve left behind.