My Eighth Grade Graduation
Four years ago we were in the same spot as we are now, king of the hill fourth graders who went to move up day and came back scared and excited. We’re not scared now though, nope, not us, it isn’t possible, right?
When we started fifth grade we clung together in these little groups from the same elementary school groups, but slowly we made friends and now we don’t really think of people in terms of which of the three schools they came from, they’re just kids from our school now, our school.
Think of your little fourth grade self lying in bed four years ago thinking that it is all going to end; that there is no possible way they can leave the school they go to and make friends like the ones they have now. They’re hoping that time will just freeze, and they can lie there in the blackness with the window open listening to the crickets chirping in the spring air forever. But the reality in our wonderful world, is that time does not stop, things change, Monday rolls around, and the bus always shows up to bring us here. To school, for the thing they call education.
And here we are, little fourth grade selves look at us now, sitting in a gymnasium hung with colors we have represented and are leaving behind to be passed on to the fourth graders coming in. They’ll get our lockers, our classes, our teachers. They’ll walk the same hallways learn the same lessons; take our place, because now we are older, wiser, and have far less common sense. Now as they take our place, we are moving on to take someone else’s place, to heckle someone’s teachers, to wear someone’s colors, because that’s what it’s all about. And in four years we’ll be saying, “Little eighth grade me, what were you looking for, what were you scared of? Little eighth grade me, it’ll be ok. Make the best of today and live your life. You don’t know what you’ve got till you lose it.”
I am really sorry, I have to break this news to you, but we are still only going to be heading into another part of the school system after tonight, you all do realize that, right? (Yeah, I know, I know, I just ruined it didn’t I? All this fabulous excitement about getting out of this place?) The joke is on all you people out there who are fidgeting in your seats, waiting until the second you’ve safely graduated and before sprint right out of here like the place is on fire. Five bucks says one year from now you’ll be counting down the days until college.
So sit tight, your life can wait a little longer. We’ve had great teachers, and great opportunities, we’ve had good friends, and good times; moments we will never forget. Think about everything you found here over your years, and everything you have left behind. What did you get and what did you give?
