I can say a lot of things have changed over the past year.

I can say I’m at least a little different from how I was back then.

From Junior year to my final Senior days, I’ve been through a lot.

Back then, I was at the bottom of the chain but now I’m on top.

And I won’t stop.

I’ve learned a lot of lessons from my teachers,

To always work hard and follow through with my procedures.

They told me to stay on the path that I’m making for myself,

And to never be afraid to ask for some help.

I’ve taken that advice,

Applied it to my life,

So if I make a decision, the outcome will be nice.

And I still fight,

Dodging negativity left and right,

In the hopes that I can be a star and shine bright.

I’m thankful for my friends, they’ve helped me out a lot.

When I felt all the stress and was in a bad spot.

When I contemplated suicide, they told me that I’m too alive,

And that there’s no need for me to be worked up over being sleep deprived.

I felt the pressure getting heavy since last year.

I was in fear and almost broke down in tears

But they didn’t let me fall.

I’m thankful for them all.

Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here proud and tall.

They encouraged me to never give up,

No matter how rough, I just gotta stay tough.

And that’s something that I had in my mind for a long time.

It’s only now that I’ve realized I’ve been blind.

I started high school as a thirteen year old boy.

Who has slowly evolved into a man.

So here I stand, with four more years of experience.

And I have to say that things have been pretty grand.

I’ve met a lot of people.

Some good, some evil.

But I’ve learned from every single one even if some caused upheaval.

But I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

Not even for the most expensive of diamonds and pearls.