Senior year is the time to truly appreciate the holiday activities at John Carroll.

During this time of year, spending it at JC for my last year is bittersweet. I like being able to decorate and participate in activities like Door Decorating and the Thanksgiving Food Drive — events that I have grown to love.

This year my focus is to spend time with my friends and to make lasting memories with them.

I have been able to make more memories with my friends that I know will stay with me through my life. I have been able to enjoy taking classes that truly interest me with a passion and pick the college of my dreams.

High school does go by very fast, but being able to take some time to stop and pause for a second to recap the time is important.

Time goes by extremely fast, so it’s important to participate in everything you can while you have the time. Plus, JC has many activities and opportunities to get involved within the community.

It is important to know why you are doing this, making sure to do it for yourself and not anyone else. Community service, I have learned, makes the biggest impact on how you are able to grow as a person.

I have even gotten the opportunity to host a service event for some of the athletic teams here.

Nonetheless, being able to help people in finding time to connect with others and grow within themselves is what makes me appreciate JC the most. When it comes to door decorating, being able to come up with ideas and work with people in your advisory to make the best door leaves the best memories.

Earlier this month, I was very excited to go around and look at all the doors and lights in the hallways; as always it felt so magical doing this.

Attending sports games, being able to feel the school spirit, and being able to support my friends and watch them be successful makes me really appreciate the time I get to spend at JC.