In every part of life, there is a beginning and an end. Our initial beginning was when we came into this world. As infants, we underwent the maturation process and began to learn how to walk, talk, and eat “real” food. After 5 years, however, the comfort we gained from accomplishing the goals of our infancy would come to an abrupt end, as we were all about to start a new beginning called Kindergarten.

No more naps. No more watching cartoons all day. All that ended. We were now on to a new chapter in our lives where we learned exciting new things like how to read and what the answer was to complex problems, like 2+2. We learned how to interact with new people and make friends. For the next 5-6 years of our lives, we journeyed through a multitude of subjects while going to school from 8:30 am to 3 pm.

5th grade signified the end of school and of elementary life. We were no longer children and were quickly thrust into middle school with new challenges and new opportunities. School began earlier. We switched classes for each subject. We had to remember the dreaded locker combination. We had to adjust or be overcome. We reached deep down and found the courage to fight the battles that came with being a student in middle school.

Although we were still considered “middle school students,” we made the immense transition to the high school. This “new” beginning was one of the scariest things we’ve faced so far in our young lives. 8th graders were considered to be at the “bottom of the food chain,” and being in the same building as seniors was scary.

9th grade came and everything was different. There were different electives to choose from such as French, Spanish, and woodshop. We were able to play a varsity sport. In 10th grade we got our class rings, which was something we would carry with us the rest of our lives. Next came our junior year, and the stress of having such little time left to figure out what we were going to do with the rest of our lives. We took the SATs and started thinking about college and life after high school.

Finally, senior year arrived. Some of us contracted senioritis rather quickly, while others knew there was no time to slack. We spent our weekends visiting colleges, trying to find “the perfect fit.” We lost sleep over countless deadlines – college applications, scholarships, financial aid, and who could forget the dreaded senior project. Athletes hung up their jersey for the last time and said goodbye to the sport they loved. We danced at our last prom and tried to stop time, knowing we would want to relive these “glory days” in the years to come. Our class trip to Disney gave us the chance to relax from all stress and allowed us time to reflect, to spend time together, and to enjoy one another’s company one last time. Once we returned from Disney it was back to reality. We arrived home just in time to take finals. After completing the last exam, it hit us. This is really it. My career as a GNA student had come to an abrupt end. With graduation right around the corner, we prepared to say goodbye to GNA, a school that became home over the last 13 years. Now, it is on to a new beginning…