They say time flies when you’re having fun, which explains why the past three years (subtracting a freshman year in quarantine) have been the longest three years of my life. This is not to say I am not incredibly grateful for the lessons I learned at RM and the person I became because of them.
But as my classmates marvel at how fast it went, I have a sense of imposter syndrome because I cannot wait for it to be over. When people ask me if I have senioritis, I tell them I’ve had senioritis since sophomore year. When they ask why, the answer changes. The cliquiness, the IB competition, the inability to respect perspectives other than your own, the jam-packed hallways, the constant self-serving and the general disregard for basic morals are a few responses I have given.
This is not to blame anyone or even to complain. The academics were superb. Oldest IB school in the county. You’ve heard it already. I never felt RM was a place of comfort or community for me because I never felt respected, valued or welcomed by the community. And that’s okay. I’m glad I experienced all of it so I can appreciate whatever’s next even more.
Nevertheless, every cloud has a silver lining, and to join in the spirit of reflection and appreciation, here are just some of my silver linings:
All of my three art teachers who pushed me, all of my five art tables who made me smile every day and every art piece I made
The number of halal restaurants on Rockville Pike
The flag on Main Street on the main office side, squished next to the BLM poster
IB History and my IA
Everything Ms. Wall has done for me ever and every conversation we had
This absolute smokeshow of a newspaper, the editors of years past who made me feel part of something, the editors now who I’m going to miss providing therapy to, every piece we’ve published because we had something to say, and Ms. Kidd and Ms. Peyer, who saw us through the whole way
Maybe in a few years I’ll gain the appreciation everyone else seems to have for my high school experience. My goodbye to The Tide will forever be sad, but my goodbye to RM (after years of frustration and exhaustion) is one of joy and relief. For the people still in suffering through high school, know that the best is yet to come.
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