TIME TO MOVE ON

Class of '99

Special graduation edition

Alone figure wends his way down the trail and enters the cove. He is bewildered by the sight that meets his eyes. His friendly and familiar cove is littered with debris; shells and driftwood jumble together in a natural collage. Awed by the destruction, he pauses to observe the slow wash of the tide. Only the tide remains constant - gradually changing and developing each shell. He picks three up in wonder. One's blue and purple streaks resonate with depth. Another seems unaffected by the hurricane; strong from the accumulation of particles. One more, though lovely, is dangerously fragile. The man sits down on the shore, unsure of his feelings. Which shells should he take with him? They are all priceless. He stares across the serene ocean, to where the heavens and waves meet. Medical Lake's senior class is an eclectic mix. Many of us are old friends. I believe this is the underlying current in our lives. Throughout elementary school, friendships were made that have remained true. Middle school was a whirlpool of people, combing kids from Fairchild Air Force Base, Great Northern and Medical Lake. Tentative friendships were formed. Middle school tried to prepare us for the biggest changes in our adolescent lives: high school. I recall being so bewildered freshman year. A plethora of opportunities was presented. There were new classes, teams, dances, clothing styles and people. Sophomore year brought expanded social circles and extracurricular activities. People got their driver's license, and our worlds expanded. We started to become independent. Junior year is a reminder of stress. Classes got harder and homework became abundant. We were also informed we needed to start thinking about the future. Now, as seniors, stress is a familiar emotion, but it's paired with leisure. Seniors wear a content expression; it's almost over for us. Even so, acceptance letters haunt our dreams and jobs occupy our afternoons. Realization dawns slowly like a winter sun. Soon, too soon, we will be leaving each other, leaving our habitat, shedding the cocoon. Sad sentiment weighs at the heart when we think of the friends we have grown up with; how they're leaving forever. So we make our way along the shoreline, collecting the memories and experiences needed to go on, realizing we will have to leave many shells behind. But truly we know, there are thrilling new coastlines to venture to. Horizons unlimited.

Copyright 1999 Cowles Publishing Company
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.