Congratulations graduates! The moment we have all been counting down to has finally arrived. After four years of new experiences, interesting classes, and making new friends, I graduated from high school last Saturday. The graduation ceremony traditionally starts out with the high school orchestra playing as the parents and families filter into the auditorium. Because I was salutatorian, I was the first commencement speaker and the first to receive my diploma. I enjoyed standing at the podium on the huge stage and welcoming friends and family. I spoke to the class of 400 graduating seniors about pursuing their dreams and finding motivation to succeed. It was a memorable ceremony. Most graduates and their families stayed around and took pictures outside the venue because it was such a nice day.

Graduation day was a great opportunity to remember high school experiences. Posing for pictures with my best friends from ninth grade, favorite teachers through the years, and advisors of the clubs I was so involved in brought back many memories that I will keep with me for a long time. I enjoyed seeing my classmates cross the stage and celebrate their successes during the past four years. I expected the ceremony to be bittersweet, but I was more excited above anything else. It was just a weird feeling of finality.

The day of graduation, I went out for lunch and gelato with my family and then I was off to grad parties. Grad parties are big deal in my area—almost everybody has one. The parties are a fun way to kick off the summer; my friends and I made it to about ten parties.

Since graduation, I have been relaxing, learning to use my new laptop, sleeping in, and finishing my placement exams. Now that I am completely done, I have to start getting ready for college. I think that for the Fourth of July weekend, I am going up to Boston, so maybe I will watch the fireworks over the Charles River. That will definitely get me excited for the move to Harvard in August.

In the next months, we graduates will encounter many changes. Those of us going away to college will have to get used to living with a roommate and being separated from parents, friends, and homes. We will be on our own, away from our sheltering high schools, and we will have to adjust to new, challenging learning environments. I am excited about how much there is to learn about the world and about myself. I’m looking forward to spending the next four years with interesting and talented people from all over the world.

As the school year comes to a close, so does my time as a blogger for ACT. I have enjoyed chronicling my senior year very much. I hope that some of my advice and experiences have been and will be helpful to those of you taking the ACT and applying to colleges in the future. I want to thank Dana Engelbert, Nancy Owen, and Scott Gomer for working with me throughout the year and advising me. For everyone who went through a similar process of taking these important tests, applying for college, and enjoying senior year, congratulations on making it this far. To everyone, good luck with future endeavors. I hope that you learn new things, pursue what you love, have fun, and fulfill your dreams.