To my friends, Alexis, Braylon, Jordan, Kendrick, Lynette and Samarah—some of you have been with me all the way since third grade, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Also, I could never forget my Rampage friends; thank you for inspiring me and giving me a new sense of community!
By Lia Richardson
Graduating News Editor
When I look in the mirror one last time before heading to graduation on May 29, I’ll think about the people around me who have crafted me into the work of art that I am today.
Non-arguably, the most influential person in my life is my mother, who came to America from Armenia with the dream of starting a family—and oh, did she get one!
I could only imagine the shock, joy and pain that came with raising triplets (me being one) in a completely foreign country. Even with my brother, who has numerous special needs and requires full-time care, my mother always made sure that the three of us were equally loved and supported.
Despite growing up in a household where sub-optimal grades made her a disgrace to her own mother, my mother assured me from five years old that, as long as I was trying my best, she was proud of me.
While stacking myself with AP classes and striving for a 4.0 throughout high school, I was eternally grateful that I was able to choose that for myself and not be forced into it.
In the midst of my junior year when I cried over my first B, my mother told me that I was being ridiculous, and that no letter was worth my wellbeing. Because of her, I am able to see that my worth is beyond what I accomplish.
Perhaps this lesson served as wonderful reassurance for my burnt out senior self, who decided to only take one of my five AP exams, but I digress.
I thank her for teaching me to be fully secure with myself, because I now approach tasks with greater confidence. Sometimes, “failure” is not the end of the world.
If I am a mosaic of all the things I’ve loved, my friends make up some of the most vibrant centerpiece tiles. I truly see it as a blessing to have a select few people whose presence alone makes you feel complete.
I’ve had some of my friends since elementary school, and there is nothing like being able to experience each other in every phase of life.
I cherish the people who want to show up when I’m at rock bottom; who can celebrate and cry for each other–those who influence me to love wholeheartedly. Really, all you need is the kind of friend who will show up to your house with cookies the day after a breakup.
In the upcoming months, I anticipate the unforgettable time I’ll have with my friends in the summer, perhaps the last truly carefree moment of my life before heading to college.
I’ll dread my upcoming nursing school coursework, yet be excited to pursue new beginnings. I’ll also fear the inevitable goodbyes that I’ll have to make.
To my dear friends—it feels cruel (and frightening) that we won’t always be able to sit in empty parking lots, obnoxiously sing to each other or stay up giggling about complete nonsense.
But you should all expect many visits, and I won’t let you out of my life that easily if you promise to do the same!