#9: I did it

Senior year has been nothing if not difficult for me. From injuries to anxiety, I feel I’ve become weaker since September. But, I think it would be foolish of me if I were not to acknowledge some bright moments in a world of darkness.

#1: College.

About 95% of stress this year has come in the form of college for me. 

“Oh my God, so many essays!” 

“I don’t think I’m getting in!”

“I am definitely not worthy enough”

For no senior is this a particularly easy process. Applying to colleges is somewhat like tying up all successes and failures throughout high school in a neat bow and sending the package. This was disturbing because, though I’ve seen accomplishments in high school, I’ve seen failure. This process was disturbing, as I had to confront EVERYTHING. It hurt.

But, in the spirit of positivity, I did get through it. I finished my 17 essays for Penn State Bs/MD. I got accepted to some colleges. I did it. 

#2: Injury

My September began with bad news: my shoulder was injured. I couldn’t swim for my final season on the Troy High Varsity team, and as one of the team’s captains. So, not only was I in physical pain, but mental pain too. In total, I attended 5 meets and Championships only to watch, to observe as my girls swam our team to victory. It hurt.

But, in the spirit of positivity, I still served as a captain. The team was my family in and out of the water through my fight against my fracture. I did it. 

And lastly…

#3: Sickness. BAD sickness.

November decided to come with a vengeance as I began to - with no apparent reason - rapidly lose appetite. I noticed I wasn’t eating heartily as I used to, but blew it off thinking it was due to my sudden leave from swimming.

Until it wasn’t.

On November 8th, 2022, I was hospitalized after losing consciousness in 5th hour (I was literally in AP Statistics with Mrs. Kosiorek at the time HAHA) and waking up without sensation in my hands and legs. I was loaded with fluids and told I was anemic from not eating. I was horrified. 

But, in the spirit of positivity, I started rehabilitation. My sickness wasn’t exactly an eating disorder (touch-wood), so my recovery was rapid. I began warming up to food again, and was healthy in no time. I did it.

In conclusion, “I did it” has been the theme of my senior year. In the next semester, I want to learn to become a beacon of positivity around others, rather than negativity. Soon enough, I’ll look back at this year and be able to scream out loud, “I DID IT!”.