It wasn’t supposed to happen to me. It was something that happened to the unlucky kids in the other class, or in movies like Cheaper by the Dozen. But two days before the start of  junior year it was happening to me as I packed up my car and drove to St. Louis — I was moving.

Walking into school that first day was terrifying. I didn’t know anyone. I was walking into a building where it took me 20 minutes to find my classes the day before. I was that new kid. The one who transferred halfway through high school, when everyone typically has their friends established. The one who had no one to sit with during lunch.

Those first few months were some of the most depressing I’ve ever had. I had trouble making friends and didn’t feel like I was a part of my school. It got better second semester, but I still didn’t really have anyone I could openly talk to or hang out with on weekends.

Frankly, my junior year was a personal hell. I’m a social person, and not having anyone to hang out with was devastating to my self-esteem and happiness. I sunk into a shell.

But that’s the thing about high school; hiding in your shell doesn’t get you anywhere. High school is all about going out and putting effort into finding your own ideas and interests. So senior year I did  that. I got involved. I joined clubs. I didn’t want to be the kid who looked back and regreted missed opportunities for friends and events. I wanted to look back and laugh at the stupid things I did and the funny memroies only me and my friends would know about. I went out and expanded my horizons, and as a result found nine of the best guys I’ve ever met.

At the end of junior year I wanted nothing more than to go as far away as I could from Kirkwood. Now, as my last month of high school begins, I want nothing more than to enjoy what little time I have left at Kirkwood High School. I’m gonna miss it.

You have to go out and make your own success in life. Moving was hard. I had to expand my horizons, but that’s what changed my high school experience for the better. So thank you to everyone who pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, and thank you to everyone who’s made my senior year in Kirkwood so memorable. You know who you are and I’m forever thankful for everything you’ve done.