The days seem brighter and the flowers are blooming (with the help of a few light showers here and there). Inside the walls of La Joya High School, seniors, including myself, scatter with excitement, worry, stress, and well, just about every other emotion we can think of. Panorama pictures (the epic senior class photo) have been taken, prom details are being dished out and last-minute graduation orders for cap and gown are on their way. Underclassmen are breaking pencils, getting ready for upcoming assessments.

On a gorgeous sunny morning last week, I was at the Coyote Café with 30 other students from my 2010 graduating class at a Who’s Who breakfast. This is a La Joya High School tradition and a great honor for students who have been selected. I was this year’s “Who’s Who Best All Around” award recipient. La Joya High School staff nominates students who are recognized as true representation of our school in academic and extracurricular activities. I am ecstatic!

On the other hand, I have met many of the goals I set for myself this year. On New Year’s Eve I wished on a lucky penny that, no matter how much stress the year would weave, I would find a way to see past it. Well, between midterms, finishing the yearbook, work, my ACT blog and my everyday homework, stress has been a main factor of my life. However, things are calming down, and so is my stress level. I survived (of course)!

I have learned something new about myself: perseverance. This is something of utmost importance. Aside from being a teen, I am a senior and a college freshman, consumed with work and bombarded by homework, so I have to rely on my perseverance.

School is still in full swing and my planner is overflowing. I’m currently working on a speech workshop that I must present to my college Speech class, and a 10-page Government class research paper. Both are time-consuming, but also extremely rewarding. If I may say so myself, I think I probably know more about President Andrew Jackson, and public communication than half my class!

In a couple of days we’ll take our senior trip to the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) to get acquainted with the campus. Once there, I will meet with Dr. Gregory Selber, Communications Department’s Director, and witness the publication of their newspaper, The Pan-American.

The days are longer now and the flowers are beautiful. My world is turning slowly, with the horizon looking bigger and brighter every second.