When I first started at Big Sky High School as a freshman, I had no idea what was to come during my tenure from that point to graduation. But here I am, writing this piece as a senior and reflecting on all that has happened while I was a student of this very high school.
Starting high school during the COVID-19 pandemic was one thing, and being part of the Health Science Academy (HSA) was a treat to be sure. Eventually, I joined clubs and sports like Model United Nations, Speech & Debate, and Key Club, to name a few. I’ve gone through so many memorable classes with teachers that I will never forget.
Over the years, I’ve seen old teachers retire, new teachers come in, and have participated in many activities from HSA field trips, to being a contributor at large for the Sun Journal. Seeing students graduate to spread their own wings looks scary, and last year it was hard to say goodbye to one of the cohorts that I & others grew up with, whether it was for life or just for high school. All of the people I have met throughout my high school career feel like a larger family that aligns with what America is and always will be: one giant melting pot.
But much like the students that have graduated before me, a future awaits me. A future filled with possibilities and dreams that can be achieved. A future where I study business and history. A future where I start fresh in Washington. A future where I can be the bigger person and help others. A future that is nerve racking, yet exciting at the same time. I will get to meet new people and reunite with old faces alike. I will be on a new adventure, no matter where I go. I will see the world. But before I leave, I must give some advice to all that will read this.
The first piece of advice is do anything that interests you. You are your own being when it comes to joining clubs, sports, or organizations within the school and greater Missoula community. When you join any of these, you join a larger community, a larger friend group, a larger family. Speech & Debate, HOSA, Key Club, and tennis are some of the organizations that I’ve been part of over the years. If I hadn’t joined, I would’ve missed out on building new connections and maintaining those that I had already built. The memories from the 2024 Clark Fork River clean up, getting 3rd at the 2023 HOSA SLC, and the shenanigans that occurred at every Speech & Debate tournament are memories that have stuck with me because I was with my teammates, my friends, my family.
Another piece of advice is more on the cautionary side. This being that love and other silly things will creep into your school life, no matter what you do to be in or out. I’ve seen many relationships flourish and fall during my tenure here. Whether you would like to start one, stay out, or be on the sideline, love is always in the air here at Big Sky. Relationships aren’t just one Big Sky student with another Big Sky student, they can span the entire town and even state in all high schools, so don’t get caught up in one connection with one person. Love is a feeling that will never truly go away, as it will even outlast time itself. So, if you have feelings for someone, act on it. And if they don’t reciprocate, it’s alright. Love is much like life in that it is mysterious, full of surprises, ups, downs, defeats, & triumphs.
One final piece of advice that I’ll give before departing for new pastures is something I myself have experienced. That the people around you are always there, even in your darkest moments. When I first started high school, my freshman year was rough, and I hit my lowest point around the second semester of my senior year. I struggled to reach out and to self advocate for all problems that I have. Yet, in my darkest hours, people were there for me. I just didn’t want any help, as I wanted to be independent, to stand out in the sea of high schoolers. I sometimes got combative when help was offered, masking any pain that I had in that moment. And whenever things got out of hand, I would send messages as a stress response because of how overwhelmed I was, which led to more than a few scares from those who knew me. Big Sky is a community that is at its strongest when we come together to help each other during an individual’s struggle. When darkness rolls in on you, push through with resilience and don’t hesitate to lean on the family that is Big Sky High School.
And now, it is time for my swan song, the final bow of my high school career. Someday, in the future, whether near or far, I will look back and even return to the halls that I once roamed as a student of Big Sky. But for now, I shall spread my wings, for adventure is out there.
