With only a few days left of my senior year, I’m finally faced with the reality of leaving Oak Lawn Community High School. Although I can’t seem to get away from my friend, Senioritis, knowing that these are my last days of high school has started to feel bittersweet.
My experience at OLCHS has unknowingly helped shape me into the individual I am today. Looking back at my freshman year self, I never thought I’d be able to so drastically change in just four years. I walked in as a shy and reserved 14 year-old girl ,not yet knowing my place in a new school. Now, as an almost 18 year-old, I’ve been able to come out of my shell, make connections with people whom I can call lifelong friends, find a passion and family in a sport I love, and have been able to prove myself through dedication and hard work.
My teachers over these four years have greatly impacted my experience in high school. Mr. Frangella has seen me since my first day of high school, and in a countless number of ways, helped me during my high school years, whether that be helping me write my college essay or simply listening to a story about my day. All my classes in some way have been impactful for me; Going from the math classes with the Newtons and Mr. Z, or my AP classes with Mrs. Nickless, Mrs.Diepholz, and Mr. Atkins, or even Mr. Doyle on the tennis court or in the classroom. I’ll be able to look back at all the memories I had with my teachers, and the experiences I had taking their classes.
Playing a sport in high school had to be one of the memories that made me enjoy my time at OLCHS. Though I may have gotten medals playing tennis, the friendships and memories created through the years are more sentimental than any medal I could have received. Tennis allowed me to be a part of a family filled with countless memories and true friendships. I’ve had the privilege to have Mr. Doyle has been my coach for the past three years, and during my experience here, he has not only seen me grow as a player, but as an individual during my time on the girls tennis team. Come August, it’ll feel bittersweet knowing I won’t be returning to a tennis season with my favorite girls.
At times, high school felt like a constant cycle of stress and added pressures, whether that being from ongoing assignments to piling of tests in certain weeks. Two experiences I’m grateful I’ll never have to endure again have to be SAT preparation and college application season. Though these times have been the toughest on me in my High School career, I’ve learned success can’t come easy, and one must withstand challenges and struggles thrown at them in order to attain success. I’ve always valued my academics and even in stressful times, I’ve continued to follow my determination and dedication in order to achieve my goals and accomplish what I strive to attain.
In the fall, I’ll be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in biology to follow my passion for medicine. Although I am overjoyed and excited for the new experiences I’ll face, and the new individuals I’ll meet, this will be my first encounter with an adult life filled with independence. I’ll be exposed to a new life where I won’t be carefree anymore, and taking in these last few days of high school has reminded me that this is the last time I can still be a kid.
My time at OLCHS has been a memorable one, but the time has now come to close this chapter of my life, and prepare to enter college and a new adult life. Thank you Oak Lawn.
