Have you ever looked back on your life, and realized that everything; every pain, every joy, and every ounce of beauty, has led you to where you are today? This has been my experience this year, as I look back on the past four years of high school. There have been times that I've felt like I was on top of the world, and there have been times when I felt like I've hit rock bottom, but I wouldn't be who I am today without each and every valley that I've gone through. This year has been a wonderful experience for me, and I believe that I've grown spiritually, socially, and academically because of it. I've accomplished goals and have grown closer to my friends, feeling more like the real me than I ever have before.
This year, I've had the opportunity to sing a song that I wrote in a talent show, a dream that I've had since freshman year. It took lots of hard work, as dreams often do, but I finally managed to accomplish that goal after years of hard work and dedication. Recently, I was chosen to sing Walk on The Water by Britt Nicole at my high school graduation, which I am very much looking forward to. Both chances to sing on stage have been blessings from God that I am very much thankful for. I have also had more opportunities to share my faith through the internet this year, as I started a blog and a twitter account, giving me a chance to be heard and hopefully, make a difference.
Socially, I have grown closer to my friends, and have realized that God is truly faithful to provide close friendships in your life when you least expect it. A couple of years ago, I dealt with a situation where I lost some of the people who I considered to be my closest friends. I felt really alone and wasn't sure that I'd ever have friends that close again, but God has provided me with amazing new friends who have proved to stand by me through thick and thin. One of the things that I've always loved about the Gospel is how Jesus calls all believers a family. Though I've been raised in my household as an only child all of my life, I can truly say that many of my friends are like brothers and sisters to me.
Lastly, I believe that I've grown immensely spiritually and as a person. Just a couple of years ago, I was incredibly shy and struggling in my faith more than I let on. Now, standing here today, I've become confident in myself, outgoing, and have never felt more alive in my faith. I used to think these things would all come at once, but they've come slowly, as God has helped me grow a little more each year. And, I'm all the better for it. I don't claim to have it all figured out, because I'm still learning, but I've come a long way since I was that 9th grade girl walking through the doors of her high school career. I have developed in my hobbies of singing and writing and have learned how to use them for the glory of God. I've made new friends, and have grown closer to old ones, as we've navigated this thing called "high school" together. I've taken a theater class for three years, and have laughed until my sides hurt with many amazing, talented peers. I've lived through four years of high school and realized that I never could have dreamed it would turn out this great.
This upcoming year, I'm starting college. I know it will be new and in some ways, quite different from what I'm used to, but I also know that I'm strong enough to handle it. I would like to close with a thank you. Thank you to my friends, to my classmates, to my teachers, to my family, and to all of you who have forever affected my life. Times change and years pass, but memories forever remain, and I believe that these four years are a time in my life that I'll always remember; a period of my life that I'll never forget.