Starting a new chapter

Who knew graduating high school could present such busy and stressful weeks? 

Well, that’s exactly what happened, but this high school graduate would do it over again in a heartbeat. 

Graduating from high school was one of the most fun experiences I have had the pleasure to be a part of — in my entire life!

Along with the overwhelming joy of friends and family comes the sadness of leaving the past behind, turning the page and finally starting that new chapter. 

High school gave me the opportunity to do so many things that I will cherish forever, and has also allowed me to have a successful athletic career that will be taking me to the realm of collegiate athletics as well. Cross-country, basketball, soccer and even volleyball became some of the most influential aspects of my young adulthood, and while it has been my biggest pleasure to play in front of the people of Newcastle for the past four years, I had been denied the opportunity to do what I truly love in front of my hometown crowd. 

However, as my sporting career came to a close at the end of May, I was finally awarded that chance. 

I have participated in the Newcastle AAU Volleyball program since I was a sophomore and give a great deal of credit to that organization for giving me the ability to play volleyball in college, but in years past, I have been unable to compete in the home tournament hosted by our club. With a change in the rules this year, however, I was able to don my elbow pads for the first — and last — time in front of my home crowd. 

I figured I would be nervous to play in front of people that I knew, and had this preconceived notion in my head that I would appear “overrated” to them, but it ended up being the most low-stress volleyball I have ever played. I truly wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. 

As my brief time in the Dogie Dome as a volleyball player came to an end, several emotions ran rampant through my head. I was thankful for the opportunity, but it was also bittersweet as that would be the only time I would be able to compete in my favorite sport in front of anyone at “home.” 

With everything else coming to a close, so too is my time as a high school columnist, and the next content you’ll see from me will be the words of a high school graduate.

I’m hoping you’ll follow along as I pretend to make my way through the start of adulthood, and I invite you all to take a look at what a “Summer of a Senior” might entail.