With the end of another school year comes yet another high school graduation. Yay! What makes this year different though? This year is your year. That’s right. For all of us seniors, our high school careers are quickly coming to an end and the real world is waiting. With graduation closing in, it’s no wonder we’re all racing and preparing to get out of the gate. As we prepare for that final walk across the stage, there is one thing we must all do: remember. Remember the good, the bad, and the faces that helped us along the way. Before we all know it, we will all be off in the race.

With so many opportunities and chances ahead, there’s no surprise that our seniors are biting at every chance that comes their way. We have students heading off to schools in Washington, Oregon, Utah, California, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Alaska, and Montana, as well as remaining here in Idaho. Not to mention, the range of chosen majors is phenomenal. Everything from mechanics to nursing, business to architecture, criminal justice to veterinary, and music to rangeland management is present in our Emmett graduating class. We also have a student fortunate enough to be going to Sweden in the fall and another heading out to Veracruz, Mexico for a mission. There are also a number of graduates heading into the military in both the Navy and Army branches. We’re all branching out to find our futures. Even coming from a small school like Emmett, we all have so much to offer to the world.

Before we can begin this next chapter in our lives though, we must first make it through graduation. This could be the longest hour and a half we will ever endure. Or at least it will seem that way. Through the never-ending speeches, embarrassing baby picture slideshow, and, finally, walking across the stage to get your diploma, graduation won’t seem all that bad after all. But then come the line of hugs, 17 beach balls, and a flow of tears to make it the best day of your life.

Getting to this point in our lives hasn’t been easy, as we all know. Through late nights of studying, long semester tests, and hours of homework, we have managed to survive the last four years. With all this what seems to be the bad side of high school, also came our times of fun and excitement. The last slow dance at the prom, our classic senior prank, and the teachers we’ll never forget are what has got us through every bump along the way and made the trip worthwhile.

Last are the faces that will never fade from our thoughts. When I look back at all my favorite moments of high school, one thing is certain: my best friends are there. What would high school be without a little fun added to the mix? Whether it’s a late night movie, sitting at a Friday night football game, or just trying to not get caught by the cops, every moments we’ve experiences we’ve experienced with those we are closest too. Let us never forget those times.

With our last and final year behind us, we must all prepare for what the future has in store for us. As we look at the past four years of high school, I hope we can all find a little to smile about. Whether it’s a specific class taken, a teacher that made all the difference, or a friend that kept you from going insane, we all have people and moments that will never fade. Wonder what we will remember and bring with us in 10 years? The future only hold that answer.