A Tribute to NHS

“High School- It’s the best of times. It’s the worst of times. It’s the time that tries a man’s soul,” Wiz Khalifa said it best with these words. Now, let’s talk about high school.

I guess high school was the best four years of my life so far. I mean, I made thousands of memories, some with my best friends, and some with people who haven’t crossed my mind in years. I learned very quickly who was a real friend, and who wasn’t. I went through drama with friends and foes.  I got my feelings hurt more times than I can count, and I even went through the worst heartbreak ever, but if there’s one thing I learned, it’s that everyone will forget about it and move on in a few days.

I never saw myself enjoying school, but lately, I've been reminded how special these past four years, within this building, courtyard, and on Franklin Ave,, have been.

It sounds cheesy, but once the realization that graduation is in less than two months started to sink in, I began to get a little sentimental walking through the halls of the school that continuously tested my patience. Little things that I see in the halls have started bringing back loads of memories. Looking back, I can’t help but take into account all the good times NHS has brought me. Some of my best times were spent at track practice, the Junior Formal, Decathlon, and in my classes in general. That’s where most of my strongest friendships began. 

I tell the underclassmen now that during these four years at NHS, you will be tested. You may jump from group to group, making more friends, and trying to fit in with “the popular” people. It’s easy to forget what you want and what makes you happy, but always remember to “stick to what you believe, not what you’re told to believe.” Not only will you question your morals, but you’ll question your future. Here’s my biggest advice to anyone in high school; It’s okay, I promise. It’s okay to not know what you want after graduation, because you just haven’t found your passion yet. Don’t worry, it’s going to be okay.

When people say high school is a learning experience, they’re not kidding. I have learned so much about life, people, and love.

Another great memory and learning experience for me was my first “real” relationship. I learned a lot about myself as a person and began thinking about what I wanted for my future. This led to my first heartbreak. Here’s another tip: High school boys are so not worth it. He might seem like the best thing since sliced bread, but I promise he’s not. And no, he’s probably not your soulmate, no matter how much you think he is. He’s probably not the one. I learned that the hard way; that the first boy you fall in love with is not your soulmate. Looking back on it five months later, crying over the boy I thought I was going to marry was such a waste of my time. Cher said it best in Clueless, "Searching for a boy in high school is as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie." Not only was crying over that boy super dumb, but so is overthinking everything.

I spent the first two years of high school trying to fit in places I didn’t belong and trying to be best friends with people I secretly hated. I wish it hadn’t taken me as long as it did to realize that nobody cares. No one really cares about what you’re wearing, what car you drive, or how good your grades are. They might pretend they care, but they most likely don’t actually. Here's another little tip; No matter how bad you think it is, it’s probably not. Whether you said something you shouldn’t have, or you did something totally embarrassing at a party, it’s okay. And don’t worry, everyone will forget by Monday.

Overall, high school holds some of the greatest moments of my life so far. The memories are unforgettable and the people I’ve met are amazing. They’ve helped me through some of my toughest times, and they’ve also put me through some of them. Even though some days aren't great, I’m really going to miss being here with all my friends and my favorite teachers.

As I embark my last few months of high school, I’d like to do something I never thought I would. I’d like to thank Nutley High School for giving me the best times of my life (so far). “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” said Eleanor Roosevelt. I agree.