Words to live by

Natalie Shaw, Editor in Chief
May 21, 2009
Filed under Uncategorized

The curtain slid open. The lights came up. I sprinted past the set crew and ended up halfway to where I should have been on stage.

As the pit started to play and the cast began to dance, I worked my way over to take my place near the stairs. Quickly stepping into the dance number, my fellow chorus members turned to me casually and smiled. They knew exactly what had happened, and they good-naturedly teased me for the remainder of the matinee.

Throughout eight of the most intense weeks of my life, I participated in the musical, “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” I learned countless life lessons, challenged myself to learn new skills and made about 50 new friends. My senior year has been filled with experiences like this one. It has been all about going out on a limb, about trying new things.

This year, combined with the experiences of my freshman through junior years, has taught me to appreciate the opportunities that I have been given. I am so thankful that I had people in my life to tell me to take on those new challenges and who stuck by me through four years of trying, failing and learning about myself in the process.

So, having lived through the highs and lows, the easy homework loads and the pre-mid-quarter rush of assignments, I can offer a few pieces of advice before I graduate to those of you who have time left here.

1. Do not miss a single opportunity. If you want to join a club or try a sport, feel free. Even if taking that chance does not turn out the way you expect, you will always grow as a person in the attempt.
2. Surround yourself with people who encourage you. You cannot choose your family, but you can choose your friends. Keep the positive people close. They are the ones you want to turn to in times of need and those you want to laugh with on an especially great day.
3. Trust your teachers. Your homework will help you on tests and quizzes. When you ask questions, you do learn more. And, yes, you will wonder when you will ever use this, but, you have to learn it, so pay attention. 

The past four years have been an adventure, to say the least. I truly hope that all of you get as much out of your JC experience as I have. I will leave you with one final thought: You get out of your life what you put into it, so fill it with whatever fulfills you.