I am now a senior here at John Carroll, and everyone always says, “Take advantage of every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to try new things because high school flies by.” I never truly believed it until now. These four years have had the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but I would not trade them for the world.

These years truly did fly by, and I met the most amazing people and even went outside my comfort zone to try new things. JC truly makes your high school experience a great one, and I would do it all again if I could. I am most excited for this year because of all the senior traditions like Senior Unity Day, Powderpuff, getting to wear our senior shirts every month on the 25th, Prom, all my last firsts, and so much more.

With senior year, however, comes changes. This year they are highlighting a cell phone policy which states that phones must be in our lockers all day if we are in the academic wing. At first, I was really upset about this because I liked constantly having my phone on me, and I needed it in some classes, but as the weeks have gone by, I genuinely like it so much better.

I say this because I no longer have a distraction, and I pay attention so much more in class without having a phone buzzing next to all my school supplies.

It truly is a good and healthy break from my phone that is much needed for me. Another thing that I love is now that we have a priest, we have more options to go to Mass, Adoration, and Confession. This gives me the opportunity to dive deeper into my faith which is my goal for this year, and I have so many more opportunities to do so.

My favorite change of this school year is D Day even though may only a temporary change. I say this because I love sleep and the fact that I get an extra hour of sleep and get to go into school at 9:00 am is truly amazing. I just feel so much better, and my class truly did luck out if the change is only for this school year. I think that even after the class of ‘25 graduates, they should keep this.

Overall, this year is very bittersweet, a year of lasts. With this, the school continues to grow and develop. With that, comes new changes that apply to everyone.