As elementary schoolers, you were taught how to walk the foothills of learning, strolling through the lands of wants and needs and conquering the scree of multiplication. As middle schoolers, you learned how to climb the more difficult spots of the mountain; the journey became steeper, more treacherous, less forgiving, but you didn’t give up. As high schoolers, you ascended the sharpest crags, endeavoring day after day to reach the pinnacle. As you got closer, you realized that the path grew more arduous, yet onward and upward you clambered. Anxiety and pressure weighed you down, but you refused to move any direction but up.

Seniors, you have reached the summit.

It might not be the tallest summit in the world, nor the highest you are destined to climb, but in that moment, these things are of little importance. In that moment, as you perceive the world around you from what feels like the seat of God, you are the king of your mountain. Gaze upon the ethereal beauty of your journey, your accomplishments, your life, and know that you reached this height of your our accord. Others will congratulate you, but don’t forget to congratulate yourself. Tell yourself, “I worked hard; I deserve this.”

Yet, you cannot dawdle on your peak forever.

There are even more glorious mountains yearning to be scaled. You must go and climb even steeper terrain: college, careers, life as an adult. For these things you must abandon your divine pedestal, driven by the promise of a grander view at the next cap. But as you make your leave from the top, fear not for the loneliness of the summit; she will not be in want of company for long. For us juniors have pledged to follow the path of the mountain. In fact, we have been right behind you the whole time, studying your every move, learning from your mistakes, celebrating your accomplishments.

We juniors have witnessed the entire climb, and our motivation doubles as you reach the peak.

This motivation spawns in part from envy. Why must we struggle another year to indulge in the splendors of freedom, independence, and the knowledge that high school has concluded? There is no answer aside from the simple truth of ever-passing time. The least we can do is make sure our journey is a successful one. We must ensure that in a years time it will be us captivated by the magnificent view and us who are allowed the pleasure of reflecting on our own accomplishments. Also, we owe it to the seniors to continue their legacy and leave one of our own. From this, the desire to be remembered fuels our progress to the top. How will those below us, who watch us just the same as we watched you seniors, remember us at the end of our climb? You have shown us how to lead, and now we must do the same. Still, our two classes are not the same (as evident by your 0-2 record in Powderpuff), so we must find our own originality in the path. Perhaps we might try a different foothold, a new approach to an old crux, or circumventing part of the mountain altogether.

Our journeys might not be exact, but it will always be your footsteps that we look to when we are lost.

Now go out and do great things, we’re rooting for you.