In middle school, I began to dream about living in Japan, and just three years later, I took the first step by flying to Tokyo to explore this dream. To make this trip come true, I spent a whole year working long hours at McDonald’s in Manchester, saving all my money, and spending every free moment researching and planning for this trip. In July 2023, I finally indulged my dream and traveled to the Land of the Rising Sun. It was amazing, everything that I had dreamed of! This trip has shaped me in many ways by exposing me to the culture and setting me in the right direction towards my future as a global citizen. Now, two years later, I am on the verge of stepping on that soil again, but this time I plan to do so for the next four years as I continue my education there at Temple University of Japan in Kyoto. 

It has finally come to the point in time where I walk down the stage with my gown and cap, standing with my friends and family, whom I cherish so much. The weeks leading up to that moment are making me realize just how close we are to getting our diplomas and going our separate ways. My high school years are something I would not exchange for anything. There were some tough times, but there were far more memories that I got to laugh and enjoy my youth. I have grown so much and experienced so many trials and tribulations, but also success and progress. So many moments that I don’t even know where to begin to reflect.  

When I was just a freshman, it was difficult coming back into a brick building to sit with your classmates again after being cooped up in the house for almost two years because of the pandemic. However, that changed relatively soon because I made friends with the most wonderful and intelligent person I have ever met, my best friend, Marion-maria Haff. Our friendship started from a simple project in our Algebra class, and it took only hours, maybe even seconds, for us to click. Now, almost four years later, we are probably the closest friends in our school. We are practically the same person and inseparable at any moment. I will always be grateful to her and hope that we never grow apart. 

I have become friends with my other amazing friends: Rose Cote, Tessa Mims, Jonathan Reyes Santos, and Aiden Ahern. Marion and I grew to know them about a year later, after we became friends, and it didn’t take long for all six of us to become one giant group of friends. Every single one of my friends is one of the greatest people I have ever met, and I am very grateful for every single one of them. On top of my incredible friends, I have had the most supportive and astonishing peers, and I thank every single one of them, because even if they may not realize it, they have helped me grow to the person I am today. Thank you, Mrs. Stephen, for seeing my potential and always looking out for opportunities I could do and grow from. Thank yo,u Mrs Tetu, for giving me great advice, advising me through the college process. Thank you, Mrs. McGowan, Mr. Bowe, and Ms. Passamonte for being incredible teachers, making me and my friends laugh. Thank you, Dr. Egan, for giving me the opportunity to complete both my Algebra 1 and geometry credits in one year. Thank you, Mrs. McCall, for the long class convos. Thank you, Mrs. McGee, for believing in me and pushing me to my full potential. Thank you, Mr. Garcia, for always looking to read Marion and I’s book, which we are still working on. Thank you, Mr. Colburn, for seeing the creativity in me and always looking for a new project I could do.Thank you, Mr. Puglisi, for making the Martial Arts Club and being very silly all the time. Thank you, Lauren, Aimee, and the entirety of Manchester Proud for giving me the chance to become a part of your organization, representing our Community as your intern. And thank you, Manchester School of Technology, it was the best decision I made to choose this high school over the others. 

I am proud to be a part of the class of 2025, and I hope that everyone graduating this year and the years to come gets to make their dreams come true, whether it be to attend the college of their choice or take a year off. The great part of our generation is that we are strong, and I hope that our future can make a difference in our world. ONWARD!