As my four years of high school come to a close, I can look back at my time of Paly as some of the greatest years of my life. Though there were times of sadness and frustration, in the end it was a fun and secure learning environment that I would never trade in.

I still remember the first time I set foot on Paly campus: Freshman orientation. My peers and I were herded into the Haymarket Theater on our last day of summer to receive some last minute pre-high school advice. Then spirit commissioners Dani Hanibusa and Chris Richardson taught us the Paly spirit cheers, and members of student council put on a skit to show us what high school would be like. Because seating was organized by advisory and I was in head basketball coach Peter Diepenbrock’s advisory, I found myself seated in the middle of three tall, handsome and talented basketball players. It was then that I first realized high school might not be so bad afterall.

My first day of high school was full of similar feelings. Although I had embarrassing moments such as when I realized with terror that I didn’t know where any of my classes were and was forced to ashamedly ask upperclassmen for directions, I also had shining moments. When I went to the bathroom by the art building for the first time, I ran out and proudly declared to all of my friends that I had peed in a high school bathroom! Four years later, I learned not to go to the art building bathroom, or the library bathroom for that matter because they were usually out of toilet paper. It is much better to go to the newly added science building bathrooms, which are clean and well-stocked.

I learned several other important life lessons over my four years here at Paly. I learned that when you argue with a teacher you will always be wrong. It is better to be polite and courteous, and recognize that everybody makes mistakes. I learned that people really do care about you, but only if you let them. I’ll never forget the day that I got fired from my first job, before I had even worked a day. It turns out Macys doesn’t employ anyone under the age of 16. While I walked around school devastated and confused, Mr. Kandell sat with me and talked about all that was wrong. He was also there for me when friends felt more like enemies, and finding a prom date felt like an impossible task. When school got really difficult junior year and a smile was often replaced with a yawn, Mr. Bungarden was always there to cheer me up.

Ms. Vereyken was always there to discuss the Giants with me, and we were able to console each other when the Giants lost. When I faced one of the most important decisions of my life, deciding where to go to college, Ms. Bowers was there to help me weigh the pros and cons of my top two choices and help me inevitably decide (Johns Hopkins, in case you were curious). The list could go on forever. The truth is, that Paly has one of the most intelligent and caring staffs, and you should make sure that you appreciate and value what each teacher has to offer both in and out of the classroom.

On that note, I learned to also appreciate the incredible variety of talents of my peers. Whether it be by taking math classes at Stanford University, competing in national diving competitions, surviving cancer, or being a good parent while also passing high school, my peers have some amazing accomplishments. I have witnessed schoolmates compete in the State Championship level of competition in cross country, basketball, football, and wrestling. I have seen many peers earn honors from the national merit society. Some dedicated classmates have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, while others have become eagle scouts. Many have earned the Presidential award for community service, and others have showcased their musical talent by performing for a public audience. Everybody has something to offer, it is up to you to recognize and appreciate it.

Unfortunately, I also learned some lessons the hard way. I learned never to cut a senior in line at the Student Center unless you want to be publicly humiliated. I learned never to stand in the way of a runaway streaker’s path unless you want to be pushed out of the way by a naked person. I learned that chatting on AOL instant messenger for several hours the night before an APUSH test will surprisingly not get you a better grade than actually studying for the test. I learned that overloading yourself with classes may enhance your mind, but is detrimental to your immune system.

If I have one piece of advice to give you about surviving Paly, it is to expose yourself to as many things as possible — and no I am not condoning streaking. You will regret your inhibitions and missed experiences. You will regret being too afraid to experience new things. So go ahead, have lunch in a new place and talk to new people. Take a chance on a class like ethnic studies, which you may not have otherwise taken. The best way to survive Paly is by living it.