Written By: Alina Gomez, Staff Writer
REFLECTIONS: As kids we’d dream of what we would accomplish or become as we grow older. Seniors are now at the starting path of that journey so let’s take a glance at how they have changed from then to now and what have they held on to or let go of.
Senior year is such an emotional year, it is the realization that our childhood is ending and that in just a couple of months we will have to be independent. Not to mention, the additional daunting stress that comes from applying to colleges and where they will be spending the next couple of years. To see a more up close perspective of how seniors have changed since elementary school, here is a look inside the minds of former elementary schoolers and soon to be college students.
When Sophia Smith, a senior at Poly, reflects, to her younger self she constantly thinks about how her character would contrast with what is now her late teenage years. Between her present self and younger self, Smith has “envisioned a strong, free spirited mind, and expressive personality” she spoke about in nostalgia. While growing up she has realized the process of growing into those values instead of just appearing to have them one day, aiming for personal growth and valuing the fact that a lot of Smith’s interests and hobbies haven’t actually changed, creating a bridge connection to her younger self and present self.
Letting go of certain things is difficult when growing up but Smith has given up the lingering feeling of being let down by less than ideal outcomes, finding out that she does not “ weigh or understand the gravity of consequences,” but now having a better grip to “controlling my emotions and not letting overtake” she stated in relief. Bringing back her younger self into mind and seeing where she stands now is like a weight lifted off Smith’s shoulders to leave behind those minor or major frustrations that are always bound to surface in life. Although, something that Smith has held on to over the years throughout her high school experience is the connections with people around her: present and past. Claiming that the best parts of highschool and growing up are the memorable connections that are made in the process.
Alexa Estrada is graduating this year and is preparing herself for what comes after high school, and reminding herself of her childhood. Always nudging to keep moving forward and not going backwards in life, no matter the circumstances Estrada will look to the bright side. Since Estrada was a child, she has been faced with the ups and downs that life may throw at her but by looking ahead she learned to not repeat the past. Remembering that life is a little silly sometimes and you’ve just got to change your perspective and acknowledge the difficulties while remembering that things will pass by. By practicing gratitude and finding something to be grateful for everyday, Estrada has opened her eyes to see that throughout all the ups and downs we should be “making memories with our friends because it’s important to look back on what we would do” excitedly speaking Estrada. Senior year is important to her for all the memories that have and are continuing to be made with her close friends always and forever.
Another graduate this year, Caleb Phillips has thought about his hopes and expectations for after high school and has realized life is spontaneous, not fully knowing what will happen. In retrospect when Phillips see’s his younger self, he looks at a naive boy that has yet to learn that life is unexpecting. No matter what we are told or learned over the years we will never be ready, life moves on quickly “it can hit us like a truck and not even glance at the damage” Phillips spoke contemptuously. Now in his senior year of high school he came to the realization that in order to grow we must let go. As a child, we make sacrifices as people for our friends, family or loved ones, and that’s something that Phillips looks forward to in his future- welcoming new obstacles. Holding onto hope and a successful future with a family and job to make memories that will last forever.
If we could look back to our younger selves we would laugh at our mistakes and be understanding of them, we would smile at the possibility of believing everything and enjoy the curiosity of living in the moment. No matter where we stand in life right now and what will happen in the future our younger sleeves would be over the moon looking up at us.
Good Luck to all the Seniors, may all their childhood memories be fulfilled!