the ups and downs of a high school graduation

 For most people, graduating from high school is a big deal. It marks the closing of one chapter and the beginning of the next one.

The day before graduation, there was a rehearsal, which was mandatory. It was bright and hot, the kind of hot where you can barely function. You get a sunburn even if you wear sunscreen. 

My classmates and I rowed up in alphabetical order. My best friend was three people away from me. We talked as we waited for the music to start for us to do our walk-through.

I was wedged in between two boys. The one in front of me was a blonde-haired, scrawny kid, and the guy behind me couldn't find a shirt. The principal came over and told him to go put a shirt on, and he did. 

We walked through the ceremony about three times,s and then we stayed at the field for our last sunset of senior year. 

The next day was graduation day, and it was even hotter than the day before. I  was in a black dress that went to my knees, and my green graduation cap and robe honestly made me look like a green marshmallow. 

My family came and had pizza before graduation, and then they all left to set up while I finished getting ready. Once I was ready, my mom and I left to go to the football field. When we got there, I found my friends, and we waited for it to start.

The teachers lined us up in our spots,s and we walked to our seats. 

It was a long ceremony with teachers talking and our student council announcing the names of the graduates. My best friend was the one who announced me, handing me my diploma. 

And I had no clue.

I saw my family and smiled and waved, holding up my diploma. 

I went to sit back down in my seat and watched the rest of the ceremony. I never wanted to go home more than I did at that moment.

After the ceremony, I took pictures with teachers and friends, and family, and went home. 

I changed immediately and went to the senior all-night party with my best friend. We ran around and had a lot of fun. There was gambling, which I was really bad at. And Dutch Bros, which I had too many of. 

And carnival rides that made you dizzy, and roller skating, which I was not good at, and kept falling. And a mechanical bull, where I cracked a rib, some bouncy houses, axe-throwing, and a raffle, where I won two three-day Jamboree passes that I later sold for $150 each. 

My friend and I spent most of our time at the pool, where they dropped money every hour.

Then we went home at the end of the night. My mom picked me up at 5 a.m., and I slept until 11.

I spent my summer working at the community pool, which I still work at. I ended up going to LBCC, where I am pursuing my degree in teaching. Younger me would be happy with this choice. I'm currently in my last term of freshman year, and I don't feel as though I've ever been happier than I am because I'm actually working towards something.

High school meant so much to me. I wouldn't be who I am without the experience or the people I met, but holy cow, I am happy to have my world opened up and not reduced to a small town where I was miserable.