Page 246 - 1987.Millard.North

After 13 years of hard work, walking
across the stage was not the end of hi gh school. Seniors
Standing on the Edge
Greg Skolaut and Jeff Sc hafer turn in their gown s in or-
der to finally receive their d iplomas. (S. PEDEREN )

The following is a special reflection by a senior
on the impact of GRADUATION.

A s I stood on the edge of my adoles- considered for fear of failure. They stood by
cence and looked toward my future, · us and let us know that even if we failed, they
fear began to slowly creep into my would be there for us. We knew that as the
heart. It seemed strange that on the day I had years went by. our friends would continue to
waited 18 years for. I suddenly began to feel let us fall back on them in times of disappoint-
nervous about what was to come. The indepen- ment and crisis. Those that we had had pushed
dence that I had so long yearned for now us to do what was best for our futures, even
seemed overwhelming, and the drudgery of if it meant being far from them. As we chose
school and home life appeared only safe and our colleges, we realized for the first time that
familiar. we would have to be apart. Still , the encourage-
Fortunately for myself and my fellow ment to try something new without fear came
graduates, who I was sure felt some of the continuously from them.
same trepidation as I, we had the luck of hav- Perhaps those that received the least
ing caring teachers, supportive friends, and credit for the positive aspects about us, and
nurturing parents. With their help. we were the most blame for the negative, were our par-
confident that no matter what problems our ents. They taught us the ideals, initiative, and
adulthood might have brought us, we could independence that we would need in order to
face - as well as conquer - them. survive on our own. From the time we took our
In the last thirteen years, our teachers first step, they had encouraged us to be inde-
had impressed upon us the need to be in- pendent, while at the same time they had
formed and to think things out. During class, stood with open arms waiting to comfort us
they not only taught us the facts, but also why if we would fall. As we got older, they gave us
these facts occurred. They instructed us on more time each year to do with as we wished
how to hold opinions that we believed in - and saw fit. When our parents lectured, all we
how to back them up , while at the same time heard was nagging and fighting. Sitting back,
respecting the differing opinions of others. I could objectively hear my parents giving me
More than that, though, our teachers became values that would help me in life. The biggest
our friends. They helped to demonstrate that comfort that I gained from my mother, though,
our superiors could be befriended, and that a was knowing that if I received a setback or
strong relationship could be constructed be- needed to feel dependent, she would always
tween those in charge and their charges. The provide me with a home to return to for a little
teachers we had in the past years had shared while.
their experiences and thoughts with us in or- The beginning of our adulthood was no
der to prepare us for life. Without them we longer very far away. l could see it from where
would not have been the individuals that we I was standing-on the edge of my childhood.
were. From there it seemed a little overwhelming,
Another group that had helped to sh~pe but I knew that I could not have had any better
us was our friends. With their support, we had preparation for what was to come. IN
taken chances that we would not normally had
Amy Barton

CoiT)mencement made students
think of all those who helped them make it through
school. Thanking their mom for her support are Seniors The top 10% of the senior ate and Commencement. Students re- Graduation 241
Sherrie and Shawn Stokes. (S. PEDERSEN ) class WOre green and silver honor ceived them at Honors Night. (S. PED-
cords with their gowns at Baccalaure- ERSEN )