My Final Word

It’s still hard for me to believe that I am a senior in high school. I’m shocked that I’ve made it through the good, the bad, and the ugly of these four years. I’ve seen myself transform from a self conscious perfectionist into a leader, confident in a way I never thought would be possible. And as cliche as this sounds, I couldn’t have done this without the Greene School. My confidence didn’t happen overnight. It took lots of coaching from my teachers, family, and friends, encouraging me to stretch my limits, and a let go a little bit. If I can tell you anything about the end of high school, it is that those moments when you let go, and fully embrace the moment you are in become some of your most powerful memories in the long run. While I don’t remember every paper I’ve written, or AOL I’ve studied for, I do remember standing up during Peace Week, opening up about my perfectionism and anxiety, making myself vulnerable to my entire community, and being rewarded with a room full of applause. It’s hard to put yourself in a vulnerable position like that, but I can tell you it will be well worth it. I remember travelling to Flint, Michigan with The Greene School, speaking to community members and leaders alike, embracing the leadership role that I could play in service learning, and how empowering that could be. Without stepping into these moments, and leaning in, you may never know what you can achieve. Coming into the Greene School as a transfer student my freshman year, I felt like I had a lot to catch up on, putting insane amounts of pressure on myself that weren’t necessary, the weight of the world on my shoulders. I had spun myself a dangerous tale that I wasn’t good enough, I wasn’t worthy of love or attention if I didn't prove in some way that I was a good person. I thought that I could show this through my grades and effort in school, equating my own self worth with my GPA. Any grade less than perfect was a failure in my eyes, proof that I wasn’t worthy, and I never would be. I remember countless nights when I put myself in a catatonic state, so deathly afraid of failure and what that would mean. I gave myself goals that were nearly impossible to achieve, all in the hopes that I could prove to the world that I was worth it. For years I had built up a story in my head that I needed to be absolutely perfect to get good grades, and get into a good college, only to find myself applying to schools, and learning that grades weren’t the most important, and really they just wanted to see a well-rounded person. If I could only tell you one thing from my experiences in high school, I would tell you this: you are worth it. No matter who you are, what grades you have, how popular you are, you are worth every inch of love and support, simply because you are you. As cliche as it sounds, popularity and perfection won’t matter in the end. What matters is how you’ve shown up. Have you been a good friend, have you worked hard, have you been a leader? These are the things that matter. Be proud of who you present to the world, and I’m sure that you will be welcomed, not only at Greene, but wherever you go. Of all the things I have learned at the Greene School, the most important has been compassion. Compassion not only for others, but also for myself. Every day we learn so we can be informed and compassionate global citizens and leaders, standing up for those who don’t have

a voice, and demanding a better world for ourselves and the future. While it may not always seem like it, at Greene you are on a path to become a leader for yourself and your community, if you’re willing to reach out and take it. You have to step outside your comfort zone, and lean into your fear. I am a first hand account of how much of a difference this can make. Slowly, but surely, I developed into a person I had always wanted to be, but had always been too afraid to become. I saw myself go from someone who would rather hide in a crowd to someone who wants to stand out, and share my story with the world. I’ve learned through my time at Greene that you need to observe a situation from every possible perspective, seeking the truth, no matter what this means. I’ve learned that sometimes there are no easy solutions, but through collaboration and determination, we can find our way to the world we want to see. I’ve learned that every voice matters. Even as a freshman in high school, you can bring about change. You have an active choice in the way you want to live your life. Your age should not be a deterrent for the things that you are passionate about. Dig deeper. Strive for your best. Your high school experience is really what you make of it. Beyond the school, you have to surround yourself with positive people who will support you in both the good times and the bad, helping you achieve your goals. These are only four years of your life, and they will be exactly what you make of them. Find empowerment in your own imperfection, and change the world.