I was on my way to our last musical dress rehearsal when word spread that activities had been cancelled for the weekend. Then on that Sunday, it was announced that school was cancelled for the week. All of a sudden, there was no going back to school, period. Just a lot of unknown answers and social distancing. We live in uncertain times and none of us expected our senior year to end this way, but here we are. The past month has been a whirlwind of emotions, and I’ve had a lot of time to sit and reflect on my time at North Platte High School. Here are some of my thoughts…

Freshmen yesterday–graduates today

We’ve all heard that time flies and let me tell you, that is no joke. It feels like just yesterday, we were all at freshman orientation wandering around aimlessly with our scavenger hunts and hallway maps. Now, we’re all gearing up to graduate and find our way in a much bigger world. If you’ve ever read a map, they can be really confusing (unless that’s just me and my lack of sense of direction). High school is kind of like that… you have a general idea of where you’re going and the destination you want to reach, but sometimes there’s a flat tire or an unexpected route change. But even with a few bumps in the roads, you finally reach that end goal, with a lot of new lessons and experiences to keep with you.

High school isn’t about the grades, activities, dances or events

I’ve learned a lot over my high school career. Your high school experience is what you make of it, getting involved is so important and 100% worth it. Being kind isn’t just a stereotypical Boys Town skill, it is one of the best characteristics a person can have. The pole in the Dairy Queen drive-thru will not be forgiving if you (ACCIDENTALLY) hit it with your car. No matter how old I get, the fire alarm at our school still creeps me out. Your GPA or ACT score does not define you; the type of person you are does. Everything happens for a reason, and what’s meant to be will be. Stress is a real thing, but God will never put weight on your shoulders that you cannot carry. Most important of all, high school isn’t all about the grades, activities, dances, and events… it’s about personal growth and embracing the people around you. 

My favorite parts of school

So many people have had an impact on my life. I will try to keep this short and

sweet, but I could go on and on about all the people I am thankful for. First, I want to thank all of my classmates. One of my favorite parts about school is the variety of people I get to meet. You guys are awesome and you’re going to do some pretty wonderful things. Thank you to my friends and supporters for always being there for me, and for sparking so much joy in my life. Next, thank you to all of my teachers. Going from an Eisenhower Eagle to a North Platte Bulldog, I’ve had the oppurtunity to learn from some of the most incredible teachers. A special thank you to my senior teachers…. Sash, thanks for dealing with my hatred of MyMathLab and inability to make a unit circle. Jevens, thank you for tolerating my competitiveness when it comes to pitch or any game for that matter, and for being a person I know I can go to. Werk, thank you for all the life talks and for being my English teacher AND our stuco sponsor, you’re the best. And to Mrs. Purdy, thank you for giving me a home in the music department as well as giving me the oppurtunity to choreograph the musical these past couple years and always believing in me.  To my family and especially my parents, you guys are the absolute best. I love you with my whole heart and I can’t thank you enough for going through this journey with me. Each one of you has made me who I am today, and I am so beyond grateful for that.

Goodbyes are hard, especially when they come sooner than expected. Knowing high school is over is a strange concept, but I am excited to see what is next.

This fall, I will be attending UNL and majoring in dance, in hopes of pursuing a career as a choreographer. Thank you North Platte High School for helping me get to where I am today, and for all the memories. You will always hold a special place in my heart. Go Bulldogs!

~Ciera Carlson