Final days of school bring awareness of what matters most

I am a senior at Susitna Valley High School in Talkeetna. And as my graduation date draws near, I find that every moment of my day has been consumed in utter chaos. Between homework, prom dress shopping, applying for college, sporting events, best friends, school clubs, scholarships, summer job searching, and a passing nod at family members, I no longer have time to think anymore. But thankfully, I have come up with a solution to the madness – I have decided to stop sleeping.

I know what you’re thinking. I sound completely absurd.

But all jokes aside, I could really use an extra eight hours in my day. I know that I am not the only senior suffering from this phenomenon.

I feel as though I have spotted the finish line after a four-year race, and suddenly someone has added 200 pounds to my Jansport. I believe this sensation is commonly known as “senioritis,” and only now do I understand the definition completely.

In the midst of my self-diagnosed senioritis, I was asked to write this article. I was told that I could write about whatever I so desired, which is almost more difficult than having a pre-determined topic.

I am not even sure if I desire anything more than to have some peace from the chaos. But since you are interested in my rant, I will let my fingers type away. Brace yourself, reader, for I am not even sure about what I will say next.

Though I feel like my mind has been tossed in the blender set to puree, I cannot help but be thankful for one person in particular who has tried her very best to keep me in one piece. She warned me about the difficult final leg of graduation, and how crazy my life would become. I realize now that I was a mere fool for scoffing at her wisdom.

She has told me to “get my act together” on more than one occasion, and it is usually just the push I need to continue forward. She is never afraid to be honest with my work, and she is always willing to give up her time to find solutions to my silly problems. But in truth, I am not the only person who receives her attention.

This particular goddess devotes much of her day not only to her classes and students, but to the entire population of Susitna Valley High. She is kind, hilarious and brilliant. She is a saint, an ally and a friend. If I survive this mayhem, I will owe my graduation cap to my teacher, Patricia Bills.

Now, as you are reading this article, you may be thinking back to your days in school and remembering your favorite teacher. Maybe now you are picturing your favorite teacher meeting Mrs. Bills, and how legendary that soiree would be.

Have I completely lost you yet? If not, just remember that if you are ever given the chance to meet Patty Bills, take my word that you are in for a real treat.

And who knows, maybe you are reading this article at the very moment that she is. Maybe you are actually able to share this moment right here and now with the stupendous Senora Bills herself.

So there you have it. You have now had a glimpse into the mind of a soon-to-be graduate. You may have noticed that it is a bit jumbled in here, and I cannot promise that it will ever return to tranquility.

Soon my days of high school will be a thing of the past, and I will laugh at myself for thinking this was difficult. But amongst the mild insanity, I am very thankful to have been mentored by such an amazing teacher and friend.

Emily Hartley is a senior at Susitna Valley High School.