Rachel’s 2018 Reflection
written by Rachel W.
It’s difficult for me to sum up this year because of all the incredible things that have been packed into the last (almost) 12 months. I feel like 2018 has been super long – but not in a bad way. From start to finish this year has been completely life-changing, and I am so glad to be able to share some of the insight I have gained!
The year started off pretty fun, as I traveled to Orlando with my cheer team to compete at nationals. We grew super close and had a blast together! As the school year continued I went to prom with a group of friends, received my junior ring from
a senior on the cheer team, went on a couple of college visits, and somehow made it through finals. Junior year had been the hardest year yet, in terms of school, but with help from my classmates and teachers I was able to reach the goals I had set for myself the previous August.
If any one period of the year was transformative for me, it was definitely summer. I was lucky enough to be selected for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program, a 5-week immersion experience that brought me close to fellow rising seniors from all over the state. I learned helpful information about college and my future, yes, but the friendships and life lessons I gained will last for a lifetime. It might not seem feasible that spending only a little over a
month with people I had never met would have such a huge impact on me, but I guess that just shows how truly magical the whole experience was.
The beginning of this school year was very bittersweet because I’m now a senior! While it’s very exciting to be getting ready for college, I am doing my best to take in my last few months with my school community. So far senior year has been pretty stressful, but I am still having the time of my life with my friends. I competed in my last regional cheer competition (where we won!!) and cheered my last volleyball game. I applied to colleges and for scholarships and am now just waiting to hear back. All of this leads to now; I am so grateful for everything that has happened to me this year, and I am extremely excited to embark on new journeys in 2019!
Overall, this year has really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I have learned so much from venturing to places I’ve never been before. 2018 has taught me the importance of positivity despite any negative situations. I’ve learned that individuals’ differences are what make the world a great place to live in, because we can learn from the experiences they bring to the table. I have grown closer to my friends and made many more close
relationships that I hope to keep with me for the rest of my life. Lastly, I will take away from the year this lesson: life is constantly changing. Regardless of how hard I could try to keep things secure and normal, the world has a funny way of making things different. Now that I understand this, I have been able to let go of my fear of change and instead embrace the idea of fresh starts and new beginnings. This year has given me the opportunity to live a life I love, and I hope that now (and in the future), I can spread this positivity to the people around me.
Here are some quotes I found throughout the year that have helped me to stay motivated and positive!
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison
“I would like to be remembered as someone who did the best she could with the talent she had.” – J. K. Rowling
“Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“If I cannot do great things, I will do small things in a great way.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.