"It must have been hard to go to an all-girls school."
No, actually, it wasn't. Choosing to go to an all-girls high school was absolutely one of the best decisions I've made for myself to date. In fact, I bet if you ask other women who attended all-female high schools, they would probably say the same thing.
Many people look back at their four years of high school and shiver a little bit. I look back at my time in high school with nostalgia. I have memories from my four years at Holy Names Academy that I will take with me through the rest of my life. So, I would like to say thank you.
Thank you, Holy Names, for teaching me about me.
The four years I spent at my all-girls high school gave me the time I needed to reflect about who I was. Being at an all-girls school helped me discover myself by the time I was a junior. I was able to be comfortable in my own skin, be confident in my abilities, and most importantly, I learned what I valued in myself and others.
Thank you, Holy Names, for teaching me to stand up.
My time at an all-girls school taught me to be active in both my words and actions. I learned how to back up my opinions, and stand up for myself. I also learned how to stand up for others.
Thank you, Holy Names, for teaching me it's cool to be smart.
It is cool to be smart. Being educated only takes you further.
Thank you, Holy Names, for allowing me to be comfortable.
Yes, going to a school of all women often meant that I could get up in the morning, toss my hair in a bun, throw on a sweatshirt, and completely scratch the makeup. But, it wasn't just a physical comfort that I acquired in high school. I learned to be comfortable with others, despite who they are, where they come from, and what they believe in.
Thank you, Holy Names, for giving me the opportunity to be taught by people who truly cared about my development.
I've heard stories from my friends in college about having high school teachers who just showed up for class. At my small, all-girls school, where we only had 150 students in the senior class, I was given individualized time with my teachers. I had teachers who not only showed up for class, but stayed after to help me when I didn't understand something. I had teachers who went the extra mile for their students. I had teachers who pushed me to fill leadership roles. I had teachers who still offer to be references for jobs that I apply for. I had teachers who have now become my friends.
Thank you, Holy Names, for giving me not just friends, but sisters.
There's a special bond among women who attend all-girls schools. You can see it even when you interact with women who went to different all-female high schools. Attending Holy Names gave me 150 sisters. I developed relationships that have extended far beyond some of those I have made in college. I have a deeper friendship with those from high school because we were together when we all learned who we are. We've been there for each other through our awkward stages, when we really screwed up for the first time, when we went on our first dates. And, the best part? We'll be there for each other through the rest of it all.
So, thank you, Holy Names Academy, for the memories, for the friendships, and for helping me discover who I really am.
