TRAnsition Stages

It's official! I'm a graduate! Ever since I moved the annoying tassels on my cap from the left side to the right I have been singing Alice Cooper's famous "School's out for the summer" with an emphasis on the part, School's out forever! Even though it's only really just beginning! This week has actually been pretty hard for me. I learned something about myself.

I don't like change.

I mean, I'll embrace it when I have to but I definitely don't look forward to it. And man, this week has been a week of change. Probably the biggest in my life.

Just to demonstrate how much I dislike change I'll briefly explain what I have been doing this week. After blowing through about fifty 'Thank You' cards and even suffering from a paper cut on my lip because of my vigorous envelope licking, I didn't have much to do. So, if you know me at all you can probably guess what I did.

I went to school.

Yes I did just graduate, and no I do not have to go to school. This was completely a matter of choice and I have been to school every day this week. Whether it's been to play frisbee, help in third grade, pull a Senior prank, or just hang out, I have been there. The teachers all thought they got rid of me, but they were wrong. I feel a little strange walking the oh-so-familiar halls not as a student but as alumni. Yeah that word just hasn't sunken in yet... Alumni.
I don't like change because it means that I have to give up what I am comfortable with; that I have to step out on a branch, trusting that it won't break. But I guess without change, no one will ever get anywhere.

Here's what I've learned. No matter what changes in my life, God stays the same. He will ALWAYS be there for me and I can find my hope in Him. I know that wherever I go, whoever I meet, and whatever I do, God will be there to guide me, protect me, and change my life for the better.

So maybe, just maybe, change is a blessing, even though it's hard.

Saying Goodbye

          May it please the court. Yesterday, a good friend of mine passed away. Someone that I was really close to. Her name was, Prosecuting Attorney, Hailey Ghiglia. I know this might sound weird, but Mock Trial has been what I’ve looked forward to most for the past five years. I started as a small and semi unimportant witness in eighth grade, but just to be a part of the team was so exciting. As a security guard, Wavie Davie, started my love affair with Mock Trial. I looked at the older and experienced attorneys on the team in awe, wondering if I would ever be able to deliver a Closing Argument. Wondering if I would ever be as good as them.

                Through the years, I have had many amazing memories because of this competition. I was a witness for three years and an attorney for four years, with two years of double duty.

                Two years ago we won first place at our district competition. We then went on to place fourth at state.  Last year we won third place at state with twenty teams competing. We victoriously held up our trophy and screamed until our voices were gone. This was the best feeling.

                Yesterday was our district competition. We went in to the trials with an amazing team. One of the best teams we’ve ever had at Districts. Ever. We were confident through all of our trials, and anxiously anticipating with excitement the announcement of the teams that would continue. Everyone on the team performed to their best ability. There were no weak links to our team.. It was easy to see that we were one of the most prepared teams there. If not THE most. The awards ceremony drew near and my nerves began. Three of our attorneys received best witness awards, and four of our witnesses. Things were looking good. The announcer said, “Tri-Cities Prep third place. Richland High second place. And the winner of this year’s district competition who will be continuing on to State, (drum roll please), Kennewick High School.” Wait??? I don’t understand! He must have accidentally read the schools incorrectly, because he didn’t call our name!  Then I realized what happened. Everything began to click. We weren’t going to state. We had lost, and now I had to get a grip.

                After a very soppy and tear-filled car ride with the other girls from the team(our poor driver), a full night of uninterrupted rest, and a day to muse over everything, I can finally clearly make sense of it all. Well maybe not ALL, but some.

                It seems like things don’t always turn out as expected. I thought I had already learned this which ironically shows how necessary this loss was. It seems like Solomon might have known what he was talking about when he wisely said “Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what tomorrow will bring.” It seems like, as hard as this is, we needed a lesson in humility. And this experience was extremely humbling. In fact, I can safely say that I have never felt more humbled in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not making the incredibly false claim of saying that I am humble. I am only saying that this was the most humbling experience. We got fourth out of five teams. That hurts. A lot.

                Even though we lost, I am so proud of our team. Everyone worked so hard. Everyone performed so well. We gave it our all, and that was all we could give. Now, I have to pass my role. I am passing it to the next lead attorneys. To the eighth or ninth grader that wonders if they will ever deliver a Closing. I’ll let you in on a little secret, “It’s not that hard, if I can do it, so can you!" (Also, don’t ever confuse a ‘Side Bar’, with a ‘Bench Press.’) To the future River Academy Mock Trialer’s, enjoy this position and compete well, giving ALL the glory to God. May it please the court…