Leanne

Animoto insists on cutting me off with a few seconds left and I can't change it, no matter how many pictures I add. Sorry, but my speech is still understandable. [|My High School Years]

As the end of my high school career rapidly approaches, I think about graduation. As I think about graduation, I look at all the other students in the same position as me. I reflect on the high school experiences we have all shared in the past 4 years. We each look back and see a younger, awkward version of ourselves and we say “what on earth were we thinking?” Personally, I began high school relieved to finally plunge into a bigger pond with more freedom and room to grow. But I was soon swept away by the currents of expectation. High school has been 4 of the most academically stressful years of my life. In the end, it has undoubtedly been worth it but I probably could have gotten by without trying to be such a perfectionist. If I could go back and give my personal awkward 14 year old self some advice, I would tell her to stop worrying. Whatever will be, will be, and it is important to live in the moment without worrying about the future so much. My future is ultimately whatever I make it, so I plan to forge ahead with out worrying about what tomorrow might bring. These past four years have taught me this philosophy and proven it to be extremely helpful and accurate. Everything always had a way of working itself out for the better. The end of high school becomes a time of self reflection and we tend to hold ourselves up to a checklist of academics and other achievements. Most students seem driven by a fear of failure and an overwhelming desire for success. It is hard to define failure, but society is ready to give you a set of criteria if you let it. It is important to direct your energy into what will make you happy. If you aren’t happy, then you fail by default. Some form of failure is inevitable, and I have not lived up to my own expectations of perfection. But I have learned to aim for happiness. It’s much easier to obtain than a perfect GPA. My time at Green Hope has been invaluable, regardless. I’ve had incredible teachers who have taught me more than I thought possible. I became more involved with friends outside of just my classes and I even achieved positions as Vice President of Nation Art Honors Society and secretary of art club, which were experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything. The friends I’ve made in there are incredible people and amazing artists. Over the years, I’ve met dozens of new, amazing people. Inevitably, my friends changed, for better or worse, but I eventually found my place where I’ve never been happier. Many of these people are the most remarkable, kind, and dependable people I’ve ever met. I will miss them terribly when I go to college, but I know I will stay close with a lot of them. I’ll miss my family, of course, but they’re my family; they aren’t going anywhere. My mom is especially understanding and one of my greatest friends. My parents are my source of support and encouragement. They have also always treated me as an adult and held me accountable for my own actions, which has led me to become the responsible young woman that I am today. They’ve never had to ground me, but they’ve never hesitated to correct me or give me a piece of advice. Right now, during graduation, everyone is now asking themselves “what does the future have in store for me?” “Where do I go from here?” Well college, of course. I am going to study architecture at UNC Charlotte. But, personally, I think its imperative to look at the big picture. A life of happiness and satisfaction are the real goals now. Wherever I go, I will take my imagination, creativity, and hard work, and I am going to let the rest work its self out. I’ve work extremely hard these past 4 years, as we //all// have, and I will treasure the collection of memories that have been created. I will miss a lot of people that are in my life, but graduation is a period of transition and transformation. I will miss my old life immensely, but it’s time to start a new one filled with new people, new experiences, and new happiness.

/10 One to two minute written narration submitted on due date (beginning of the period) /10 Has all pictures saved digitally by date due (either scanned and saved to the server or saved on a CD or Jump Drive) /20 Has at least 5 pictures in your presentation /20 Has a clear and focused general narration that flows with the visuals and submitted in written form with rubric /20 Creatively done with sincere effort /20 Has good speaking techniques in the podcast

/100 Final Grade