KatieAtlas

I can’t believe I can finally say this: I am done with high school.

It’s done. It’s over. I made it.

Incredible.

There were so many days when I thought I would never make it. It is so strange to think that this is all the state will give me in public education. That after thirteen years of classes and schooling, I have learned enough to function as an adult in our society. I have learned enough to get by, balance a check book, get a job, and sign a lease to an apartment. I was amazed when they told me I was capable enough to drive a car, but now that they are telling me I am capable enough to get the hell out of the system… It is such a strange sensation.

I don’t think I have had any significant academic success stories during the past four years. In eighth grade, I would say it was mastering algebra. But other than that, nothing in my recent memory. In high school I have had academic failures. Like the blog project presentation for Mahoney’s class. What a disaster. I never thought we would have to make up a presentation because it was so bad the first time. We worked so damn hard on that project, and to watch it burn was just like watching your house blaze.

In high school I have had social failures. I have screwed up a few friendships. I have removed myself from a group I used to belong to, even though it was both a good idea and bad idea. I have suffered emotional failures, like running amock with depression during junior year. Or maybe that anger from my dindah cotillion date.

But despite the shittiness that was prevalent many days, I have some great memories from the past four years.

• Donuts in parking lots and sledding at LA. That was this winter, but what a fun, random ass night. I enjoyed every minute of it. I was with a group of people who would never actually all hang out together, in the middle of a giant snowstorm, on a school night, shmucking around and making a ruckus. It was a blast. You really had to be there. I wish I could relive that night one last time.
• Skipping school on my seventeenth birthday with Sal and Allan. Even if things never worked out with Allan, I truly had a great time that day. Eating lunch at Pour House. Going to the top of the Pru. Pretending we were the Ferris Bueller gang. Although cruising in a much less flashy car. And not running into our dean of students.
• Working at Kimball farm. Eating so much ice cream it became my diet. Getting a ripped arm. Meeting some new people. Learning what NOT to do with boys.
• Throwing parties in my parents beach house. Maybe not one of my wiser ideas, but certainly an excellent time. They were all a blast, even when shit went south. I learned how to stay focused while drinking, how to politely kick someone out of your house, and most importantly, how to clean.
• Devil’s Foot and Woods Hole Stock.
• Trampoline talks. Just laying on that massive nylon plate with friends, talking about whatever life has thrown at us, enjoying the warm weather, spending time with others. I kind of forgot about those. But what an excellent part of my first two years at WA.
• Making it to Nationals for DECA. It was such a unique experience. And I am sure it could never happen again. But it got me out of a dark spot, and it taught me a lot about myself, and it gave me an experience that I never thought possible. I got to bond with a teacher who ultimately helped me get into college. I had a great time. And I finally got to go to California. Sweetness.

God that sounds so sentimental and reminiscent. But good comes with the bad, and I suppose I am thankful for the good.

I think I did well on that last exam. I had studied hard for my AP test. Now I can move on from it all. I don’t quite know what’s in store, but hopefully things go over well.

Cheers to reading what I want to read, and doing it on my own schedule.

Katie