Each blog post I have done somehow centers around how I am grateful for something. I decided early on in the year, way before we started blogs, that I needed to focus on the positive and great things that my life has been blessed with, and show my gratitude for them.  This is my last required blog post and I think the only way I can end this blog is by expressing my humble gratitude for Holbrook High School. (Sorry if I’m super cheesy and sentimental right now. I think I’m preparing myself to leave this quaint town for something bigger and better, but most of all, different.)

I remember back to my freshman year and think of my little, very insecure self. In choir I hated doing lifts because I was too fat. At first, I wouldn’t even make eye contact with the seniors because they were too cool and way older than me. I thought I was really immature and clumsy. I was quiet. I was shy. I was scared.

During this time, I learned to really appreciate my sister, Cierra. I had only been in school with her a few years and high school meant we would be together for two whole years!:) In all of my  insecurities, I hid in my beautiful sister’s shadow and felt her confidence cover me.  All of a sudden I didn’t have to be scared when I was with her. I knew as long as I had my sister, I could take on anything. TOGETHER we made best friends with the cool senior boys. TOGETHER we took the stage by storm and sang together all the time. TOGETHER we studied for classes and worked on homework.  Never in my life had I depended on someone so much, just to be myself.

Sophomore year went by beautifully and although my senior friends left, we kept in touch. Cierra and I continued to be the best of friends and I’d say that we were pretty cool, but I might be slightly biased. We made some great memories and spent as much time together as we could, before she graduated and left for college.

One of my favorite times to look back on is our car rides. It takes a while to get to town from our house, so we would enjoy car rides together full of laughter and love. We sang songs as loud as we could and goofed off the whole time. Our favorite song to sing and rap was “The Way” by Ariana Grande. It was quite a sight to see two white girls rapping and singing ‘whistle tones.’ We thought we were so cool. :P

Then, quicker than I could say bye, she was gone. She was loving college life and talked to me once or twice every few weeks. I felt lost and alone. My best friend, and amazing person to hide behind was gone. HHS helped me realize that although I missed her like crazy, I could be fun, and myself, and interesting without her. My junior year was when I truly found who I was and I let my crazy, weird personality shine through. It was a rough ride, but finally I was happy with myself. Doing this brought more fun friends. I felt much more confident and a lot less awkward. I finally was comfortable in my own skin and the dark fears of judgement were chased away by my confidence.

This year has been much like the last. I know I’m weird, and although I’m not as loud as I was with my sidekick at my side, I don’t have to be afraid of being myself. I honestly could care less about what a lot of people think about me, and I love it! I feel so happy and free!:) 

High school was the place where I got to find myself and explore the things I grew to love. I am so grateful for Holbrook High School and the welcoming environment it has. Because of the great teachers and kind atmosphere, I was able to find myself. Soon I’ll pay it back and HHS will be able to say, “You know that famous girl, Savana Shumway? Yeah, she went to school here.”