Summer is almost here. Pool days, sleeping in, hanging out with friends, and spending days wishing it would never end are almost in reach. But with this, other changes also occur for some people. This is the last time they are in town until Thanksgiving. When people get older, they usually broaden their friend group, finding people of all different ages and personalities, but some downsides come along with that. Once graduation approaches, many start to notice they don’t have very long left with their friends before they leave and start the next chapter of their lives.

     Kolton Holub, senior, has been in the district since kindergarten and has always been very close with the people in his grade, with some of those peers being his closest friends. Some of the qualities that he looks for in individuals are having a good sense of humor, being a positive person, and just being someone he can relate to. He has a few friends who are underclassmen. Holub said, “I think it’s good for the seniors to basically be role models for the underclassmen. I see so many underclassmen do exactly what seniors do.” This can be great for people who feel uncomfortable going into high school, having these mentors to show them the ways of the school. Many seniors take these younger kids in and treat them well, teaching them how to have fun and enjoy life, but sadly, everything comes to an end, and time doesn’t stop; everyone keeps growing and with that, leaving.

     From an upperclassman’s opinion, it sounds pretty positive, but what about the younger peers they are leaving behind? Lincoln Myers, sophomore, has many friends that he looks up to, and now that it is the end of the year, he’s starting to notice his time with them is quickly coming to an end. They won’t stop being friends, but they do have to move on to bigger accomplishments, which can lead to feelings like one is being left behind. Sometimes people wish that they were in the same grade as their friends so they can move on together, but would they actually be as close if they were in the same class? A lot of the time, it sounds like they get so close because of the age difference. Myers said, “I think underclassmen should be friends with seniors so that they can take them under their wing.” It’s very easy to know everyone in one’s grade, but if someone is to find a friend so close in another, it must mean that they saw something special in them that they just don’t have with anyone else.

     So goodbye, seniors. Everyone’s cheering, just don’t forget the friends that were made along the way. It’s going to be difficult for some people to walk around the halls looking at all of the faces, just wishing it were someone else’s. But as time moves on, so does life; it goes by in the blink of an eye. Spend time with the people close by, make memories that will last a lifetime, and keep in touch with the people who have affected life in a positive way, because who knows who could be the next one leaving.