If I had a universal remote control, I would use it to replay the last four years over and over again.

I know most seniors want it to be over and done with, but now that I’m at the end, I don’t want it to be over. I actually enjoyed my high school experience, even though I’ve been to three different schools.

I know I’ve only been at Kerr for two years, but it feels like home to me. That is probably because it’s the only school I’ve been to for more than a year since seventh grade. I wish I could have spent all four years at Kerr rather than just two, but I wouldn’t trade those two for anything in the world.

I’m not usually good with farewells. I’ve actually deliberately kept my mind off of May pretty much the entire year. But now that it’s here, I can’t really avoid it anymore. I don’t know if I really want to leave, but I have no choice in the matter. The last four years went by fast. I think I’m almost ready to leave, but first I need to say what’s on my mind.

Kerronicle staff members – I just want to say that I love you guys. I had so much to say to each and every one of you but not enough room to say it. I don’t regret my decision to leave band for you. I have enjoyed every minute of the last two years. You all make me laugh and smile. I will certainly try to come back and visit as often as I can next year. Every chance I get, I will get online to read the paper. I’ll miss every one of you when I’m gone. When August and September come, I’ll randomly think: “What is the staff working on right now?” I promise I will write to Mrs. Negri so I can keep in touch with you guys, because I don’t think I’ll be able to get on Facebook very often.

Mrs. Negri – You’re amazing! You put up with not only all of newspaper, but all of yearbook as well. I know we suck at making deadlines and that we stress you out a lot, but you are truly incredible. You are always there to support us. You’re like the “mamma” of the publications department. Thank you so much, Mrs. Negri, for letting me be a part of the staff. I really loved the experience I’ve had, and I wish it didn’t have to end. If you had asked me four years ago if I could see myself writing for the school newspaper, I would have though you were crazy. But when I was taking Journalism I, I realized how much fun it is. So, thank you, not only for letting me be on staff, but for showing me that there is more to it than just gathering boring old facts. For me, it’s taking those facts and turning them into a work of art that someone out there in this big world will read. I’ll miss you so much, Mrs. Negri. I promise I’ll come back and visit as often as I can.

I’ve learned things about myself that I never new and I learned that your family isn’t just the people you live with. It’s the people you can’t live without. I could never imagine staying at one high school for all four years. My much jumbled high school experience has left me with a very enormous extended family that I wouldn’t trade for the world.  It was always sad to say good-bye. I don’t think there is ever a time when leaving people you love is happy. But, the best part is the fact that now I can extend my family even more.

Here is my advice: don’t worry about your future, because you have your whole life to figure it out. Don’t rush through everything, because one day you’ll wake up and you’ll be eighteen. That’s when you start to wonder where your life went because you just realized that you’re not a kid anymore. Rather than worry about what will happen or who we should become, we should just live and love. We may not be able to get the years back, but we can keep the people we spent them with.