It’s crazy how fast four years can go. One day you’re walking into freshman orientation, not knowing what to expect, and then suddenly you’re getting measured for your cap and gown. You’re left wondering how it all went by so quickly. That’s where I’m at right now. Senior year is almost over, and I’m trying to wrap my head around how much has happened and how much this place means to me.

“I wish I could get the time back,” said senior Aiden Henry.

When Aiden said that, it really hit me. Because I feel the same way. A lot of us do. These past four years were packed with experiences, friendships, challenges, and moments that shaped who we are.

“I really enjoyed my time at Walsh Jesuit. I created so many memories and made new friendships,” said senior Kodey Kish.

The friendships were such a big part of it all. Whether it was in the classroom, during sports, or just talking after school, the people made this place what it is. When I look back, I see the faces of my friends, some places around the school, and places we hang out on the weekend.

“I had many great track accomplishments during my four years and created many friends,” said senior Jerry Rosati.

I get what Jerry’s saying. For me and a lot of my classmates, sports weren’t only about competition, they were about connection. The same goes for retreats, especially Kairos, which always seemed to bring people together in unexpected ways. Where else can you cry, laugh, pray, eat Oreos, and hug five people in ten minutes?

“I created so many memories at Walsh, and since I transferred, it has just felt like home,” said senior Quinn Lowry.

That feeling of home is something I’ve heard over and over again. It’s about belonging more than it’s about the actual school building or certain classes. We all belong to this class, we all got up early and put our uniforms on for four years, or at least most of us.

“I’ll miss being able to put on my uniform every morning and not worry about what I am going to wear,” said Isabel Martin. I’m pretty sure the uniform saved us all from making too many decisions about the day before 8 a.m.

But there’s something comforting in the routine of it all, walking in the same halls, sitting in the same classrooms, and seeing familiar faces every day. But now, graduation is right around the corner, and it’s hard not to feel mixed emotions.

“Part of me is excited,” Isabel said. “One door is closing and another door is opening, which is very bittersweet and exciting but also makes me nervous for what the future holds.”

And that’s where it really started to hit me. During the senior clap-out, as I walked through the halls one last time, I saw it all come together, like a puzzle. The edges were clear: freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year. They gave the puzzle structure. But the real image, the full picture, came from the pieces in between.

It was things like laughing in the Commons over lunch. The highs and lows of a Kairos retreat. Wins and losses on the field. Staying after school to work on a club project or an extracurricular. The thrill of a Friday night football game. Walking into a classroom early in the morning and seeing a teacher you know. Cheering on your friends from the student section. Going to a basketball game, a swim meet, or a lacrosse game, even if you didn’t totally understand the rules. Joining together to sing the alma mater after Mass. Staying late to decorate for Spirit Week. Driving around after school with nowhere to go but just wanting to be together. Hanging out on the weekend, sometimes doing something big, sometimes doing absolutely nothing but hanging out. And let’s be honest, half of those weekend plans started with “What are we even doing?” and ended with “Why are we at Sheetz again?”

All of those little things…those were the puzzle pieces that made the picture come alive.

“I would want to relive both of my Kairos retreats, one as a retreatant and one as a leader,” Isabel added. “Either that or the Senior Sunset, where we watched High School Musical 3 on the football field turf.” As we get ready to leave, we’re carrying all those moments that made us who we are. And for those who are just starting their Walsh journey, Isabel offered some words of advice.

“My advice to give to underclassmen or incoming freshmen is that even if your grades start to slip, don’t stop trying and putting in effort,” she said. “It will be worth it when you make it to graduation.”

Adding some advice, senior McKayla McGee shared, “Get involved, challenge yourself, and don’t be afraid to express yourself.”

“Don’t get involved in negative activities or think you’re too cool to have fun,” added Bella DiSanto. “The more you express yourself and participate in activities, the better your experience will be. Whatever you bring to the function is what you will get in return.”

Bella’s right, what you put in is what you get out. And when I think about everything we poured into these past four years, it’s no surprise that what we’re taking away is something pretty amazing.

Looking back, I know now that this experience was so much more than just school. It was a collection of moments, a puzzle that slowly revealed its picture over time. And now, standing at the edge of what’s next, I finally see how all the pieces fit together. Even the student parking lot after school, where every day was like a game of “Who’s about to block me in?” Add in the Wyoga Lake construction starting next year, and I’d say we really timed this diploma just right.

It’s strange to feel so ready to move on while still wanting to hold on just a little longer. “Part of me is excited,” Isabel said again. “But it’s bittersweet too.”