A New Perspective

 

A New Perspective

ELIAS ALMAREZ-HERRERA  

Upon entering my senior year of high school, I was well aware that I would be facing a plethora of lasts. However, it was the larger “lasts” that I began to realize I would miss the most: my last year of free public education, my last year of not having to claim taxes and my last year of childhood. Over the past month, senior year has offered so much more than just “lasts.” Growing up, I was oblivious to the process of college applications. By the fifth grade, I had convinced myself that my success was a three step process. Step One: be born. That was easy. Step Two: graduate high school. This process would be long, but it was achievable. Step Three: begin working. I never thought to question this process. Now that I am less than eight months away from completing the second step of my patented plan, my focus has been solely on getting into the college of my choice. Exposing myself to a world I never knew existed has been one of the most difficult firsts. Although I have no clue what the near future will bring me, I plan to make the most of my last year in high school. Looking forward, senior year will offer my first Prom, my first college acceptances- and rejections- but most importantly, my first graduation.