If someone would have told me I was going to shed tears over senior year I never would have believed them.

Then again, I never imagined I would be a part of a state championship team.

I somewhat swore off feeling nostalgic about senior year. I was foolishly determined to simply have fun this year, despite my class load and extracurricular activity schedule.

Of course, my year did not play out that way. I often fell asleep starting my AP Stat homework  at 9:30 p.m. after spending my entire afternoon and evening working out. While my senior schedule was anything but stress-free, my year came with incredible highs thanks to my involvement with sports.

I was afraid of being plagued by “senioritis” my entire year, but my final sports seasons have actually strengthened my Firebird spirit. I thought I wouldn’t be able to care enough for Free State, but soccer and cross country renewed the pride in my school and gave me a reason to care.

My four-year cross country participation ended the way any senior wants their season to, with a state championship. And I will admit I cried some joyful tears that day. The victory was the culmination of hard work and fond memories rewarded by an incredible honor.

As I optimistically look forward to commencing my soccer season, I only hope it can top cross country. I hold soccer a little dearer to my heart since I’ve played it since kindergarten, so I’m eager to win as well as have fun with my teammates. And with 15 seniors on varsity, it will certainly be a sentimental season.

Whether you’re getting cheered for or cheering fellow Firebird players on, I hope you, incoming seniors, remember your place in the front row of the stands as a twelfth grader at Free State. Never get too excited for the future that you forget to live in the now. Whether your memories come from sports, like mine, or some other activity, don’t forget to enjoy the end of this chapter in your lives.