As I attempt to write this, I realize I have almost too much to say. No, not almost—I definitely do. That is all thanks to MHS and the people within it. But now is not the time to extend my gratitude to everyone who has impacted me; it is my time to thank you all, the seniors, for everything you have done. I would like to think my quick pieces of advice that follow shortly are one microscopic way I can repay you guys. I’m sure some of you are thinking to yourselves, “What does she know?” And, the truth is, I know nothing more than the next person, but I like to think I’ve been pretty observant these last four years. So, my little, probably cliché advice is as follows:

1. Get uncomfortable. It’s easy to fall into the trap of doing what you know and what you’re good at, living like you’ve learned to live. I challenge you to switch things up. I’m sure you weren’t comfortable when you had to come to school after hiding behind your laptop for months. You probably weren’t comfortable presenting in front of the class or speaking Spanish in front of random kids. I sure wasn’t comfortable when I was told to change the way I wrote my essays my entire life. But it doesn’t seem so bad now, right? Perhaps it turned into something better than you could’ve imagined. Be unpredictable, spontaneous, maybe even chaotic at times. Get uncomfortable; it’ll give you things you could have never dreamed of.

2. Nothing defines you but YOU. We leave high school with a lot of labels, whether it be extracurriculars, classes, stats, friendships, and so on. A lot of us probably defined ourselves earlier this year when applying to colleges. Just remember you are more than a 650-word Common App essay. You are more than what people or institutions can label you as. This might be my irrational fear of AI talking, but remember your uniqueness amidst this era where people seek shortcuts and generalizations. Be who you want to be, not who your parents, friends, enemies, ChatGPT, or anyone else says you are.

3. (They say good things come in threes) Lastly, reflect. Whenever you read this, whether it be the night before graduation or ten years since being a Mustang, take some time and reflect. Reflect on what you have done thus far and what you have learned; it sounds simple, but you will soon find that it takes a little bit of time. Don’t worry, it’ll be worth it.  I know a lot of us want to keep pushing until we see the success we have so often dreamed of. But every once in a while, it doesn’t hurt to look back and tell yourself, “That was pretty cool.” And if you can’t tell yourself that, here I go: what you, yes you, have done is pretty cool. Pat yourself on the back and keep on going. Just remember to glance back every so often and remember this. Remember us.

Thank you for letting me be your voice this year. Now go out and use yours.