Dear Younger McKenna,

Well, kid the day you have waited for is finally here. Of all the things that were on your "things I want to accomplish in life" graduating high school has never left the list. Various careers, dream vacations, celebrities you want to meet, have come and gone but finishing high school has been constant. There were times when you never thought you would ever make it out, there were times you wanted to quit but today none of that matters because you are finally getting that diploma and crossing off another item on your list.

I think you'll be glad to know that you made it through math class, all those tears are just temporary and you'll make it through every unit just fine. You made it through failing friendships and have even survived days of school without any friends. You have done so so much so be proud.There is so much to look forward to past elementary school and past middle school. High school is a whole new world but don't worry, you'll be fine. Bond with your teachers because they will turn out to be some of the best people you have ever met.

Don't be afraid to be alone. The second semester of your senior year you will have no friends to sit by at the lunch table, and that's okay because you'll just go home everyday anyway. Don't be afraid of having classes with none of your friends because you'll make new ones. Don't be afraid to just be by yourself at school. Yes, it does suck but trust me it's better to be happy alone than unhappy with people who don't actually care about you. As it turns out you'll value the people you have met through dance and work more than the temporary friends that ended up ditching you in school.

College application season was one big nervous breakdown but you got into college and you will be moving to one of your favorite places in Wisconsin. You'll be starting fresh and you will need to make new friends but I have a feeling everything will be okay and college will be the best years of your life. Though it might not seem like it, there is a whole world out there and as graduation ends that world will become bigger and you'll realize that your life has just begun.

Today you are walking across that stage and getting that piece of paper. Yes though it may just be a piece of paper it signifies that though a chapter is ending in your life a new one is just about to begin. In high school, you made some amazing memories that you'll never forget but you also have some pretty bad memories that unfortunately like the good ones will never be forgotten. Your journey in high school may end in 2017 but this year also happens to be the year that you start a new journey. So buckle up because your life is just getting started.

From,

Your present-day self