End of An Era (Draft)
End of An Era (Draft)
End of An Era (Draft)
Gonzalo Sáenz
English 101
I woke up that morning excited. It was a Saturday, specifically the 20 th of May of this
year. That day was the culmination of an era; It was my high school graduation.
The sun was setting giving everything a warm and golden look. The school buildings,
which used to seem big and strange, now felt like old friends. They had seen so many
students come and go, and I could almost hear the echoes of our laughter and tears on
their walls. The paths we walked on were like old friends too, full of the footsteps of
As I stood there on the pallet later that day, a whirlwind of emotions and memories
flooded my mind giving me a sense of nostalgia. The air was filled with a palpable
sense of finality with a bittersweet symphony of farewells and new beginnings. It was
One of the best memories I had was my first day as a freshman. We were all new and a
bit nervous, trying to find our way around the big school. But as we stumbled through
the hallways and classrooms, we started laughing together and became friends. We went
through thousands of experiences that marked and united us, making our friendship
stronger. The late-night study sessions in the school library, fueled by an endless supply
of snacks and caffeine, forged connections that transcended the academic realm. We
struggled together, solved problems together, and celebrated our small victories over
challenging assignments.
The graduation ceremony itself was a mix of emotions. The speeches given by
professors and students were inspiring. They reminded us of all the things we had
learned, the friends we had made and the obstacles that we had outcome. Each word
they said felt like it was seeping into my mind, telling me that I was ready to take what I
had learned into the world. There is one speech that I can remember almost perfectly,
"I want everyone to look to your right, and then to your left. Remember the faces you
see, as you will likely forget them soon. You must make sure that doesn't happen. Just
as the friends you've made have been your anchors in this turbulent ocean of learning,
their memories will be from this moment on. Everything you've been through, every
scratch, moment of distress, or sleepless night, has shaped you into who you are now. I
am so proud of all of you, and I hope you are also proud of me and the rest of the
teachers. We've spent many years with you, and I almost feel like you're my own
children. It is a source of pride for me to see all of you dressed in your diplomas.
Remember all the good you've experienced, but more importantly, remember the bad
ones and learn from it. Now go and eat the world, show them what you are capable of. "
Looking at my fellow graduates, I saw dreams and aspirations. Some were heading into
the corporate world wanting to make their mark in the business realm. Others were
Seeing all the familiar faces was a comforting feeling. We had been through so much
together. Sitting there together for the last time, I could tell that everyone felt the same
mix of excitement and worry about what came next. As I walked away from the
graduation stage, surrounded by my family and friends, I took one last look back. The
school, the people, and the memories were starting to feel like they were fading away.
Nostalgia washed over me like a big wave, making me feel both sad and happy at the
same time. Although, my mind was also brimming with anticipation for the future. The
diploma I held in my hand was like a passport to uncharted territories. It represented not
just the end of my formal education but also the beginning of a new phase of learning.
The world beyond the campus gates beckoned, and I couldn't help but wonder what lay
ahead.
Ending the ceremony, I felt the weight of the past and the promise of the future collide.
It was a turning point in the narrative of my life. With a mixture of nostalgia and
excitement, I stepped into the unknown, ready to script the next thrilling chapter of my
journey.