“This meet is the capstone of your time on this team; every second spent training over the last 4 years culminates in tomorrow’s race.” My cross-country coach’s comparison of our ultimate race to the final piece in a stone arch echoed in my ears. Anxious about the race, trying to avoid overthinking, I let the words go. However, in the depths of my final charity ball season, my mind has returned to his advice.
Senior year is filled with so many “lasts”: the last first day of school, last homecoming, last soccer game… All the while, we are all desperately attempting to quantify each and every thing we’ve achieved on a slew of college applications. Whether it was crafting the perfect final homecoming or trying to convey “growth” in my college essays, I’ve realized how much I value each and every outcome of these capstones of my time in high school.
I’m forever grateful for each and every one of the experiences Charity Ball has given me in my high school years. I’ve spent more time and energy this year than ever before, but every last moment has been worth it. I’ve gotten to see firsthand the life changing work CASA is doing, which continues to inspire me in our cause. All of the events we have planned, emails we have sent, and volunteering we have attended is helping to provide individuals with more than just shelter: a home. Its profoundly affecting moments have shaped who I am as a leader, a human, and as an agent of change. I will miss being a part of something so special next year and will make everything count for my final year as I “cap off” my time with ECB.