Cheers to the M-W Class of 2012

CENTRAL VALLEY — Tonight, Sydney Amanuel and 595 other Monroe-Woodbury High School seniors are stepping away from the security of high school and with nervous enthusiasm moving onto a new chapter in their lives.

“High school is the ‘safe zone,’” said Amanuel, a Central Valley resident, showing her copy of the 2012 Monroe-Woodbury High School yearbook. “It’s going to be weird going to college and starting all over again and reinventing yourself. We’re really adults now.”

With their entourages proudly – and with some tears - watching them in their purple and white robes as they receive their diplomas this evening, the Monroe-Woodbury Class of 2012 is just like any other group of students celebrating commencement exercises.

Whether it’s college, trade school, military service or full time work, they know that graduation isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning.

Grades, friends, community “I’m excited to move on,” she said. “Not that I want to get out of high school, but I’ve been dreaming about this since kindergarten. Now that it’s here, I kind of want to rewind time and relive all the fun times in high school.”

Amanuel will be attending Hunter College in New York City this fall to major in film. Someday, she hopes to become a director. During the summer, she’ll be part of an internship program as a transition, of sorts, to college life.

She’s the last in her family to graduate and thinks her parents are quietly happy she’s staying close to home.

“I’m the last bird to leave the nest,” Amanuel said. “I’ve asked them, ‘Are you going to miss me?’ I’m not going as far as my sister, so they’re more relaxed. I picked my college and I think they’re happy that I’m happy.”

Reflecting on what life lessons she learned in high school that can carry forward to college, Amanuel was quick to offer her thoughts.

“Grades matter,” she said. “People will tell you grades matter for college and they do. You have to know that from the start. So be sure to challenge yourself.”

Amanuel also felt friendships were a key to success.

“Friends are like everything and friends are like nothing,” she said. “They can change every year. Just know that.”

Being part of a larger community is also important.

“Involvement in school and community and sports, it’s not just for college,” said Amanuel. “It’s for experience and to keep you directed at what you want to do and who you want to be.”

‘Won’t change just yet’ Lastly, she felt, it was important to savor all experiences one encounters.

“That cliché, ‘Enjoy it while it lasts,’ is true,” she said. “It felt like yesterday we would become seniors. Now, we ‘were’ seniors. Now, we’re done. Once you’ve moved on, you’ve moved on.”

What will Amanuel be thinking as she sits with her friends waiting for her name to be called and she accepts her diploma?

“I’ll be thinking I hope the valedictorian and salutatorian give a good speech,” she said. “I hope I don’t trip (up the stage). I hope after the hats are thrown that I’ll still see my friends and it won’t change just yet.”

By Nancy Kriz