Good-byes can be very difficult sometimes, such as when a friend moves

away.  Even as I write this, I find it difficult to put into words what I feel and what

it means to me to say it.

When I entered high school, I said good-bye to many things.  I said

good-bye to past friends, my school for 8 years, my immaturity, as well as

everything I knew.

I was placed in an unfamiliar situation where I knew next to no one.  In

doing so, I discovered something.  When you say good-bye to things, such as your

past, it resembles a book.  When part of it ends, such as a chapter, it paves the

way to a new and part.

In coming to Haddonfield Memorial High School, I have said farewell to

many things, but also hello to many things.  I have met many new and interesting

people.  I have made many unique friends.  In addition to saying good-bye to my

past, I have also done the same to part of myself.

Luckily, I have opened a new chapter in my life, one which has shaped

me and changed me as an individual.. This year I was on the freshman crew

team.  Because of this, I met many people who are very interesting to say the

least.  I met many upper classmen and even became friends with a couple of

them.  I learned to cooperate with others when personalities conflict, as well as

how to resolve such problems.  I discovered a new set of mind.  I endured practice

that I never thought I would have been able to, and I pushed myself to my limits,

pouring everything I could into every race, determined to do my best.

I have grown as a person and said hello to a new part of myself, a

mature and freethinking part.  High school has caused me to change slowly over

the course of my freshman year.  When I first came Haddonfield Memorial High

School, I was a quiet person, who wanted nothing better than to be one of the

faces you see everyday, unknown and unnoticed.  Now, I’m open, and will not

hesitate to defend my friends or make a joke if the opportunity arises.

Unfortunately, high school has also brought unforeseen good-byes as

well.  In the individuals I have met, several included seniors.  Although I was not

fortunate enough to know them for very long, they have had an impact on my life

nonetheless.  They have shown me parts of myself that I didn’t know were even

there, and I won’t forget them…. Hanging out with Kyzle and Stephen during study

halls in the library and their jokes.  Allister’s humor and his innate ability to make

my friends and me laugh. Andrew’s antics during Public Speaking and how he and

others in the class made everyone laugh. And I’ll miss Joe’s sarcasm and sarcastic

jokes whenever I saw him.

In this short time, they’ve managed to become good friends, and

unfortunately, in that same time period, I’ve been forced to say good-bye to them

as well.  They’ve taught me how to accept the inevitable reality of moving on into

bigger and sometimes frightening places as well as accepting the fact that friends

will move on as well or drift.

However, there is one thing I have learned over this new year especially

from all the people I have met and left behind.  Saying good-bye is only temporary

and shows the way for a better hello.