It was just a year ago that we walked across the stage and received our high school diplomas. We knew that our world was going to change, but did we actually realize how much it was going to? Because I sure didn't. I do have to say this past year has been an amazing year. I wasn't one of those kids who hated high school. I loved my friends and I really liked going to school. But, I love college and being out of high school. I love the freedom that college offers you. I have fallen in love with my life ever since I graduated from my high school.

The past 365 days have been a whirlwind for sure. I have experienced hardships: losing friends, losing a pet who was my best friend, becoming homesick, watching my grandparents age. I have also experienced amazing moments that changed me as a person; meeting my college friends, moving away to college, traveling to New York City and Boston. This past year has taught me so many lessons. I finally understand how much life gets better after you graduate high school whether you liked school or not.

This world has so much to offer and we have already experienced so much in the past year since leaving high school but there is still so much to see and experience. There will be hard times throughout our lives but by living your life you learn how to deal with them. There will be enough good times to outnumber the bad times, just remember that.

Is it weird to think how much you were afraid of a year ago? Because you got through it all, the fears, the unknown and the unenviable. The world was at your fingertips a year ago and it still is now. Just because you have already been out of high school for a year doesn't mean you can't accomplish what you want to do. It is time to follow your dreams if you haven't started to already. The world is all yours even if it doesn't feel that way now. No matter what, never let anyone take your education, dreams or ideas away from you. Be yourself and believe in yourself and you can get anywhere you want to be in life.

I have learned a lot this past year and the one thing that really has stuck with me over the year is that by being yourself and being true to yourself can really change your life. It is so important to be who you are because you are important and you are YOU for a reason, remember that. By being yourself you will accomplish all the dreams in the world you want to. You will be able to live a life you have always wanted to live and that is so important.

You will always be a part of the class of 2016, forever.