It’s all over. I have finally graduated from high school, with a 3.8 GPA no less! During the commencement ceremony, I was so out of it. It hadn’t really sunk in yet. Even when the principal announced us as the class of 2009, it was… surreal. I’ve been so busy trying to graduate, it didn’t really seem like it was over. There was nothing final about it, not even when I went to the school to get my diploma.
Until, of course, Sober Grad started that night after the ceremony. I’ve been hearing bits and pieces from my mother all year about how much fun it’s going to be, and how much effort the parents put into it. And, believe me, it was so much fun! There were booths representing different countries and regions, and there were games at all of them. And I’m not being biased when I say my mother’s booth was the best. Her booth was based around New Orleans and Mardi Gras, with ridiculous decorations and two authentic-looking gambling tables. One was for poker, another for blackjack. And I’ll admit, I won a few hands of Texas Hold ’em. Everything was great. The only downside was having to wait while my mother helped clean everything up so I could go home and sleep. My boyfriend had to lead me to the car so I didn’t fall. It was so worth it, though.
And now, I look for a job, and start college in the fall (I’m only having problems with the job part. No one is hiring!). It still hasn’t felt like I’m a high school graduate and legal adult. I think, once I have school and a job to deal with, it will finally feel real. I’ll drop an article in every now and then to this newssite, just to let some of you know how I’m doing, or if I need a shoulder to cry on. This has been a great experience, and I can’t really believe it’s over. But, I’m just too excited for what’s next to stay behind.
Mary Kelman is a graduate of Anderson New Tech High School in Anderson, Calif., and has been an intern at anewscafe.com. She was documenting her last few weeks of high school. Click on her byline to read all the installments.
