When I first walked into Stevenson High School as a junior, everything felt unfamiliar. There were new faces, new hallways and new routines. I remember standing in the middle of the hallway, trying to figure out where to go, just feeling like everyone else had already found their place. It was as if I had stepped into a story that was already well underway, and I didn’t know my lines yet. Transferring schools halfway through high school isn’t easy. I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a movie already in progress, and I had to get with the program, quickly.
The first few months were the hardest. I was quiet, observant and trying to memorize the rhythm of the school day. There were moments when I doubted if I’d ever feel comfortable in this new environment. But slowly, things started to shift. The unfamiliar began to feel routine. I learned my way around, found my pace and settled into the structure of this new chapter.
Senior year came faster than I expected. Suddenly, it wasn’t about learning where the bathrooms and classrooms were; it was about planning futures, submitting college apps, and soaking in the “lasts.” Last dances, last first day and my last time walking the halls. There’s something surreal about realizing that everything you once felt so out of place in has become part of your everyday world, and now it’s time to leave it behind.
I think what I’m most grateful for is growth. When I transferred, I was unsure of myself and hoping to just blend in. But over time, I started to find my voice. I discovered strengths I didn’t know I had; whether it was speaking up in class, staying focused on my goals, or simply learning to trust myself.
Now, I’m walking across that stage with my head up, knowing I made it through more than just classes. I found confidence, pushed through discomfort and faced challenges that made me stronger.
No, I didn’t spend all four years here. But the two I did spend were some of the most important of my life. They gave me a chance to start over, to rewrite my narrative and to grow in ways I never expected. I learned that starting over doesn’t mean starting from nothing; it means building something new and more powerful. And now, as I move on to what’s next, I’ll carry all of that with me. The awkward beginnings, the moments of doubt and the ones filled with pride. They’ve shaped who I am today. Stevenson became part of my story; not the whole thing, but a chapter I’ll always remember.
