It’s amazing how a simple sheet of blank paper can calm you. Just knowing that someone, somewhere, will know what you’re feeling at the moment can make you feel better. Because you know someone, somewhere, is feeling the same stress and panic you are, and, perhaps, making them feel better with the outpouring of your story.
I’m not going to pretend my life is perfect, nor will I pretend that it is a horrible, stress-ridden mess. This is nothing but a simple documentary on the life of a 17- year-old high school senior. Friends and teachers, supportive and evil, will be mentioned (though not by their real names). Classes that make me jump for joy and glare in rage will also be included.
So, quite in earnest, I begin…
I am sitting in one of my favorite classes, waiting for my computer to finish much-needed updates. This is probably the first time in a long time that I’ve had a chance to breathe. I haven’t stopped for weeks. Between a school play, a speech contest, and a major project in two classes, my life outside of school has all but disappeared. But, somehow, I have found an unsteady balance between all of these things and my boyfriend of three years. I need a break.
The school play mentioned before is “The Winter’s Tale” by William Shakespeare. I have one of the lead roles, the princess-who-was-raised-as-a-shepherdess, Perdita. While I have all my lines memorized, my acting skills are mediocre at best. And half of the rest of the cast is still memorizing their lines, and opening night is only a few days away. Needless to say, we’re all worried.
On top of all of this, I am participating in a speech contest held by the Lions Club each year. There are six levels you have to get through to get the grand prize of $21,000. I’ve already made it through the first two levels. But the third level is this Saturday. Just three hours before the final performance of the play. On top of all of this, I’m sick. Good lord, I’m screwed.
I would like to meet the person who dubbed high school the “best four years of your life.” He needs to see my schedule.
Mary Kelman is a student at Anderson New Tech High School and an intern at anewscafe.com. She is documenting her last few weeks of high school.
