I still remember the day when I stepped through the doors of Southfield High School. The halls seemed so long and classes seemed so far apart compared to Communication and Media Arts High School in Detroit, where I spent my freshman and sophomore years. I was entering a new dimension of my high school career.
I may not have been a team captain, on class board, or had the highest grade point average, but I feel that I gave a voluminous contribution to the class in various ways. I enjoyed being a chronicler on The Southfield Jay newspaper staff for two years. I was given the opportunity to let my voice be heard through the paper every month. I was the Centerspread Editor and was a part of most of the stories that stirred the halls. I like to think that I expanded fashion awareness by writing Fad Watch.
High school has been a journey within itself. Like many others, I’ve had memorable moments, triumphs, disappointments and happiness. In my eyes, high school is the constant struggle of understanding the person who lies within me. I can truly say that I am not the same person who entered the ninth grade.
High school has taught me how to adjust in different environments and interact with dissimilar people. I learned that when I am thrown off of the roof of life, I must strive to land on my feet and keep on walking. Also, I know that if I don’t scale the mountain, I will never see the view.
I definitely believe that The Class of 2004 is at a starting point in our lives. We now have a chance to soar high or fall to the ground with negative energy. If I could leave a message with the seniors as we part, it would be to give life your hardest punch. Don’t settle for less when you could have the best, and remember that life’s piano can only produce the melodies that we play. It is up to us to define our success.
I’ll never forget my experience as a Blue Jay. Farewell, Southfield High School.
– Shaneia Caldwell
Caldwell is headed to Bowling Green State in the fall to study journalism.