I used to think about tenth grade and shiver. I hated tenth grade. AP World History? Felt like AP Hell. Chemistry? Also, not my jam. I managed to put myself down a lot that year; I told myself I was dumb (turns out I’m not), I thought that I had found my “high school friend group”-I had not, and I had a lot of anxiety. So, that was cool.
Now, just to clarify: the lowest my grades, self-esteem, and friend count has ever been-cue the shivers.
But I have reached a point in my life, the age of 18 and in the second semester of my freshman year of college (Woah), where I look back on tenth grade and smile. When I think of tenth grade now, I only think of BAND (what a surprise). It was then that I joined marching band, a true game-changer where I met one of my best friends forever, Nurse Natalie.
A lot happened in fourth period IM (best class ever) too:
· I befriended Sean and also somehow Ryan who was literally not even enrolled.
· I grew even closer with my oboe icon, Jess.
· I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE HUNTERTONES WHO I ENDED UP MEETING MY SENIOR YEAR BECAUSE OF BAND.
· I worked with the coolest student-teacher of all time.
· And I am overall just reminded of a whole lot of heart and soul.
Some other highlights from tenth-grade band include but are not limited to: my love (and later great friendship) for Jake (awkward), Jergel’s, and the band trip.
Looking back on tenth grade I think of the happy times, the moments where I forgot about history and fake friends and anxiety and couldn’t help do anything other than smile.
(peep me smiling in tenth grade-at band)
So, thank you to Natalie, Sean, Ryan, Jess, Mr. A, The Huntertones, Mr. F, Jake, and some others, for tenth grade. It sure was a good one that ultimately, I would not change and am grateful to have experienced. Beyond that, I am grateful to have met and grown closer to humans like all of you who have stayed by my side since the beginning and who I know I can come to with anything at any time of day. You’re so much better than awesome.
All my love,
College Grace :)