The end of the year brings many changes for everyone in school. However, for the senior class, the changes are a lot greater. We are leaving behind Regina Dominican and moving on to a new school, new city, and a new chapter in our lives.

Change is a natural part of life, but often it can be a difficult experience for everyone involved. Four years does not seem like a very long time, but it can feel like a lifetime to high school seniors, especially when it comes to April and May.

When we think back to the first days of freshmen year, we often remember completely different people. Sometimes we even looked like different people, as you can see from my photos in this article! We have grown and changed throughout our four years, which makes it so difficult to say goodbye to the memories that made us who we are today. The walls of Regina have seen every aspect of our lives. We made friendships, aced challenging classes, and grew as young women.

These experiences prepared us for the rest of our lives, whether we like to admit that or not. We hear it everywhere, but it is worth repeating—Regina is a unique place that many of us are lucky to call our second home.

I’m not saying that everyday was the best days of our lives, because that is simply untrue. In fact, high school can contain a person’s most trying times. Countless arguments with friends, failing an important test, and making mistakes large and small are all negative aspects of high school, not to mention all of the other aspects of teenage drama. High school is also a time when people can figure out who they are. This awkward stage of being in-between can cause trouble for anyone, and it usually does at some point or another.

However, no matter how difficult life seemed at the time, Regina had something to help us through it. The senior class has shared many priceless experiences together that surely can guarantee some happy memories from high school. The pep rallies, dances, and general friendliness of the hallways can always put a smile on any student’s face. Even when there are various problems in the community, no one can deny these positive aspects of Regina.

Obviously, it is the good times that make leaving so hard. The idea of never running down the theology wing hallway with friends to make it all the way up to a third-floor class makes me nostalgic. Also, I am saddened that I will never be able to walk up to a teacher and chat with them or ask them for advice with a difficult problem.

Personally, graduating from Regina is a thought that has scared me ever since my freshmen year. What can I say, I really love Regina! I made friends that helped me through the tough times, I became more confident in my abilities inside the classroom and out of it, and I learned more life lessons from my teachers than I can count.  I do not know who I would be if I did not go to Regina, but I can safely say that I would not be as happy with my high school experience, and I probably would not have such a hard time leaving it either.

Regina is so difficult to leave because it has become a part of who we are. Our teachers have pushed us to be become better students and better people. Our friends have given us so many memories and so much joy and laughter. Our community forged a trust in us not only to believe in one other, but to be strong and not to be afraid to say what we think, believe, and feel.

Even now as I voice my various opinions on issues, I realize that without the help of Regina, I would not have been able to stand up for what I believe in so confidently. I think going into the next stages of adulthood will be a little bit easier because of this skill that Regina gives to each student.

Those of you reading this may think it’s silly for me to want to stay at Regina forever when obviously we all have to move on and that change will always be a part of life.

I really do not know how to move on from Regina without feeling sad, but maybe that is not such a bad thing. It’s sad because Regina meant so much to me, and I can never forget the countless good times I have had while at Regina.

So, on graduation day, I will definitely cry, but I will never forget all the of the great memories that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Regina, thank you teachers, and thank you  Class of 2016 for making leaving Regina so hard.