As some of you may know, I transferred to RB from a school in rural Iowa midway through my high school career. At first, I was exceptionally disappointed with leaving all my friends. It is remarkable to note however, that in those final two or three months before moving I experienced some of the happiest days in my life.

I have forged some close friendships with RB students. Similar to my Iowa high school experience, I have found that despite all the fun times scattered throughout the years, the apex of my happiness has occurred only recently in these last months before I leave for college.

Having undergone departing from high school twice, I must emphasize how ironic it is that I felt the happiest prior to leaving. I know I am not alone in this feeling, and any RB senior will likely testify to the fact that senior year is the most enjoyable. But why is this? Is it because we hate high school and can’t wait to leave? Although just about every senior has claimed this (myself included), I have found that this really is not the case.

The reason we feel the happiest during our senior year and especially during the last few months of school is that all the frivolous pressures and social strains disappear when you no longer care about what anybody thinks of you. Upon leaving high school, I have found that my actions correlate far more accurately with my true desires: I can hang out with whoever I want, do whatever I want, and be myself to the fullest extreme because that is what makes me happy.

Therefore, my parting advice is this: Try to realize your own identity while you can still enjoy it. Be yourself, and relish in the happiness this inspires. Too many high school students do not realize who they are until it’s too late, and they end up having only a meager amount of time with which to enjoy their real personality and character. Don’t wait until the end of high school to discover how happy you can be. 

--Submitted by Pete Jansen, Staff Reporter