Wake up. Brush teeth. Put on clothes. Eat. Go to school. Repeat.
This has been my daily routine for four years. Throw in 40 football games, eight band concerts, and trying to balance five clubs, and I have pretty much summed up my high school career.
As taxing and stressful as it seems, I have now realized that these years will be some of the easiest of my life.
After I walk the stage, there will be no more Friday night lights, no more nights at the JLab, and no more teachers willing to cover my mistakes. I’ll have to hang up my letterman, put away my marching shoes, and begin life in the adult world.
Am I prepared for the adult world? Probably not. I still can’t cook and I have no idea how to pay a bill, or make sound financial advice. In fact, the only class that has remotely prepared me for life in the real world is working with the “Raider Echo.”
I had always enjoyed writing, but writing for the “Raider Echo” was a departure from what I was used to. So for all of freshman and half of sophomore year, I struggled trying to learn the ways of a writer. Finally, something inside my head clicked, and I finally began to develop my passion for writing. Newspaper slowly became a huge part of my life.
By this time, I had become much more comfortable with the JLab. I began to connect more with my fellow staffers, and they quickly became people I could turn to if I needed to vent my frustrations. We formed so many inside jokes and had countless interesting conversations over Wing Stop chicken and fries. By interacting with these amazing people, I learned how to build professional relationships and deal with conflict in a mature way. I learned how to comply with pressing deadlines and how to give and take criticism. Never in my life have I been able to work with such a diverse group of opinions, beliefs and attitudes.
I am forever grateful for the many opportunities “Raider Echo” has granted me. Few seniors can admit that they have met the superintendent, sat on court during a college basketball tournament, or stayed long enough after school for Margo to come out. Experiences like these have definitely helped me appreciate North in a way no other club or activity did.
In the years to come, my memories of high school will slowly begin to fade. Somewhere along the line, I will forget what cubby I occupied in the band hall and the names of most of my teachers and many of my classmates. But I will always remember the laughter of the staff at someone’s story idea, the frustration of aligning paragraphs in InDesign, and even a room filled with left over Sonic and Starbucks cups after a 10p.m. deadline. My time as a reporter, assistant editor and Editor-in-Chief will always be remembered.
To be honest, I am very nervous for what the future holds for me. I have a plan, but as with everything, things change. And I will change as well. But two things will always remain the same. I will forever be a Raider, and I will forever appreciate my time spent at the “Raider Echo.”