Throughout high school, I have learned and made memories that I don’t think I will ever forget. I found out more about who I was than I have in most of my life, which sounds cliché, I am aware, but during these four years, I have really grown up. From watching my very first Heritage vs. Arapahoe football game to my first-ever pep assembly, Heritage has been the place I grew up in.
There are elements of high school that you are told you’ll love or look forward to, such as the pep assemblies, dances, and going out with friends, but there is so much more that has made my time here special.
Walking into Heritage for the first time to take a math placement test and seeing the place that I would spend the next four years was surreal. Also, seeing how grown up some of the students were and realizing that would be me in four years was crazy, one of those moments that you think won’t ever actually happen.
Talking with my cousins who had gone to Heritage a few years ago was what made me look forward to so much of high school. Specifically, when they told me to milk being a freshman, to get away with being dumb. Hearing the memories they’d made and witnessing how much they grew as people was so inspiring and gave me an amazing outlook on my high school career.
Even just the little moments during classes make an impression on you. Times like in English 9 honors, where the concept of symbolism really made sense and started my love for English. Or in chemistry, doing labs with my best friend and goofing off more than we learned about moles or bonds. Playing cards during math class and trying to decipher SOHCAHTOA with classmates. Complaining about having to lock in for just about every assignment.
I will never forget the school-centric moments that make Heritage special. Shouting “and our flag was still there” during the national anthem at all school events. The fire department coming to school during the back-to-school dance. The goofy quirks of all the seniors on the morning announcements. The moving-up assembly that every class is anxious to do at the end of the year. The final pep assemblies for the seniors, where we definitely milked it being our last. Getting friends and teachers to sign yearbooks and searching for yourself and your friends throughout it. Watching Heritage sports and being so excited and proud when we win. Cheering at the end of a play or musical. Staying after school for clubs, meeting new people, or using it to hang out with friends and have fun.
The first pep assembly, where you walk in after every other class, and hear just how deafening our school can be when we all come together. The nerves and anxiety felt while hearing just how practiced and well executed every other class was. My freshman year, we came out on top during Homecoming, and I got to win alongside my cousin, who was a senior. My smile couldn’t be wider, and excitement couldn’t be tamed. I have loved every other assembly wholeheartedly, but my first one will always be special for so many reasons.
Heritage has been my home for the past four years and will be my brother’s in three. The times I’ve had here have been filled with smiles, laughter, stress, and tears, but most of all memories I won’t forget.