Peace Out, Pirates

Though this was two days ago, it’s hard to believe that I just graduated from high school. My eleven years in elementary, middle and high school have gone by and now it’s time to enter into the next chapter of life.

I remember how I played as part of the orchestra during the past three graduations, both as a requirement for orchestra class and an annual celebration of the end of the school year. Looking out from the first violin section, I’ve always tried to spot those upperclassmen from math club that I knew who would be attending top colleges in the upcoming fall, hoping to become one of them some day. Graduation always seemed to be one of the graduates’ happiest moments, but playing the violin in the back row among the sea of musicians, graduation always left me feeling that I needed to accomplish even more. Often I’d feel inadequate and empty on the bus ride back home, wishing that I could stay back at the arena to just share the graduates’ joy, because I knew that school would be a rough fight in the upcoming year.

But this past Thursday was surreal. Riding in the car with my decorated cap by my side, I felt like I had been redeemed through senior year. I remember my experience playing for the ’24 graduates. After we played, I held up an entire bus to take a couple last photos with my graduating friends — my closest ones since childhood. I had already chosen to leave orchestra to focus on my academics, and even as the orchestra kids urged me to board, I made the purely instinctive and emotional decision to say good-bye to my friends one last time.

Graduation this year was a special round-circle moment for me — in polar opposite to the emptiness I felt last year, I felt elated that the past four years were coming to a close, and the next four to come. The fact that I would be a Tiger amplified my joy. Although getting into a prestigious college obviously isn’t everything, it still reminds me that I had worked very hard for it.

My family and I arrived super early to the arena when we realized that I had forgotten my favorite stuffed animals! Luckily, Dad was willing to drive back to our home for them (thanks!). Though graduates were technically supposed to be at the arena by 9:15, most people arrived later than that, so I ended up playing some GamePigeon with friends and taking selfies before the ceremony started.

Before I walked in, I kept making sure that my cap and tassle were properly positioned, maybe a bit more than necessary. While the faculty walked in, I hummed their entrance song, “Procession of the Nobles”, as I remembered some of the songs we played last year. Despite my gradual drop-out from orchestra, I still enjoyed the pieces that we played during the ceremony. As our line approached the arena entrance, I looked for my parents, who were easy to spot since they were sitting close to the front. I made a hand-heart and waved — I really love them so much for all their support in getting me here.

When the ceremony started, we did the usual procedure, walking around the seats and into our assigned row. I was right at the front, so it was the best possible position to hear the speeches and see my classmates graduate. We remained standing until everyone filed in, which took only a couple minutes because our class size is only around four hundred.

After everyone is in the arena, we sat for our class president’s opening words and stood again for the national anthem. During this time I closed my eyes and prayed a silent word of thanks — truly my next four was a huge blessing from Jesus, and it wouldn’t have been possible without His glory! And of course, God bless America.

We sat and listened to speeches from our class speaker, valedictorian, student council president, class officers, principal and district superintendent. I thought they were all good, and definitely better than some from past graduations.

Afterwards, we started receiving our diplomas. I was at the beginning of the right half, so it took a while before I had to go on stage. When it was my turn, I gladly shook the principal’s, superintendent’s and president of our district’s board of education hands, and received my diploma from my counselor. I quickly snuck in the diploma into the cover so I wouldn’t lose it, but when I did, I was proud of what I had achieved — finally, no more seven hour schedules, annoying AP Lit essays, and mountainload of biology textbook readings!

I can’t really describe the feeling of actually graduating with accuracy. I was both exhilarated and nostalgic at the same time, all while overpowered by a sense of immense joy that high school was finally over. After we turned our tassles, I threw my cap really high, as a means of celebrating all that I have achieved.

I took quite a few photos with some of my friends, and they’re yet to be posted on social media. But I’m grateful for ride I’ve had — the ups and downs, every triumph and defeat in between.

Peace out, Pirates.

Go Tigers! 🐯