When I woke up this morning, I looked at my graduation cap sitting on my book shelf. It sat there for the majority of the year, but I never really took any notice of it until today. It seems surreal that, in a short time,  I will be wearing that cap and saying goodbye to people I have known for some of the best four years of my life.

Throughout these past four years, I have been taught by the best teachers imaginable, and have had the privilege to learn alongside some of the most genuine girls I have ever known. The education I have received here at Regina is truly second to none.

While in school, it is easy to think that the only important thing is receiving a good grade. Students constantly feel the need to cram until the last possible second before a test or stay up half the night trying to perfect their research paper. Regina girls take pride in doing their very best, but as I reminisce, I have come to the conclusion that education is much more than being able to see your name listed on the honor roll.

My education at Regina has gone way beyond books. There is no possible way that all the things I have learned these past four years could show up on my report card. I have been educated in ways that I could never have learned anywhere else.

Regina provides students with opportunities to become independent, worldly individuals. Some examples of this include: the March for Life, which empowers students to stand up for what they believe in. The annual prayer service honors different cultures, and helps students become more aware of traditions in other parts of the world. The Guatemala trip, the morning run, the field trip to Feed My Starving Children, the Thanksgiving food drive, the Glass Slipper Project, and countless other service opportunities give students the chance to give back to people and make positive changes in the world. Sports, clubs, and events such as the Dance Marathon allow students to become involved in the community and create strong friendships. The Fine Arts Open House, Variety Show, and musicals allow students to appreciate the hard work, skill, passion, and creativity that our fellow students possess. Selecting a Reginite of the Month helps students appreciate one another, and strengthen friendships. Kairos helps build relationships with one another, and grow in faith.

Regina also places an emphasis on leadership. The Leadership Institute helps students realize their full potential. Each month, Regina recognizes a specific leader to focus on. One month, Malala Yousafzai was selected. Yousafzai, a 17-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, was shot in the head while advocating for women’s education.

Yousafzai truly stuck out to me. Her life made an impact on me because it made me realize how privileged I am to receive an education at Regina, let alone an education at all. Yousafzai, like many other women, was not as lucky as Regina students are.

Attending Regina, a small all-girls high school, has allowed me to receive a world-class education in a fun, supportive learning environment. I’m almost positive that we are the only school that can say that they dress up for gnimocemoH and have dance parties in the hall every Friday. How awesome is that?!  Regina is a unique place that I’m sure will always hold a special place in our hearts.

There are so many ways in which Regina goes above and beyond to educate students about different aspects of life. Education does not necessarily have one specific definition.

I firmly believe that I could not have received an education quite like I have anywhere else. While I have learned a lot, I have also gained a lot of life lessons, friendships, authentic self-confidence, and the tools needed to become a successful leader.

I have loved every second of these past four years, and I feel extremely blessed to have received a Regina Dominican education.