Throughout high school, and even just the entirety of my educational journey to now, I always asked myself the question “Who are you?” which seems kind of complicated and at times, confusing, frustrating and even complex. “Who are you?” is a question that I try to find an answer to almost daily and changes very frequently depending on my mood or feelings that day. It’s funny how quickly that answer changes. The first time I ever asked myself, “Who are you?” was a turning point in my life as I would change myself and shape my education around who I was at the time. Who did I want to be? What did I want to do? How was I going to get there? What am I going to get out of this experience? So many questions lead to so many varied thoughts. 

Entering high school and starting my freshman year was my biggest “Who are you?” moment. I found myself trying to fit a narrative that wasn’t tailored to me or wasn’t for me to begin with. It was like trying to fit a peg in a square hole. The thought “I’m going to be the most popular girl in school who is heavily liked by everyone and her peers” was quickly shot down when I realized that was unachievable. Not everyone is going to like you because that is just the world we live in; it took me a little bit to realize that the facade I was putting on wasn’t really who I was. I was in such a search to be accepted by others at this school that it was sacrificing my mental health to satisfy the needs and wants of others. That wasn’t who I was. 

My sophomore year took another detrimental toll on me as a pandemic fell upon the world. That “Who are you?” wasn’t a question I asked while being in quarantine in my house for months on end. I didn’t know who I was and didn’t even attempt to find an answer. Who was I trying to please? Who was I trying to be when I couldn’t see a person face to face? Things began to change after the pandemic lightened up a bit during my junior year. It was a bit awkward conversing with people sometimes in the classroom, but it was awkward most of the time on zoom calls. This was a weird transition, and I was still trying to figure out and answer that question. Not having social interaction for so long had small effects for a matter of time, but I was slowly and steadily introduced back into my extroverted and outgoing self.

Finally my senior year, no worries right? Well, I thought that senior year was going to be a breeze or a smooth ride on a newly paved road, but while the workload may be a little bit lightened, work was still work. Even through the workload, I found myself enjoying and learning to appreciate the small things that are what make your senior year. This was it. “Sydney, who are you?” I know in my own world that I am never just one thing, and through my last year of high school, I spent discovering and searching for an answer. I found that I am selfless, kind, caring, extroverted, happy and so much more. With the lows that I went through, I still persisted and kept going and never stopped. 

Enjoy the little things that come with your fellow seniors and never downplay your successes and accomplishments in life. There’s always something to celebrate, so with that, I just want to ask, “Who are you?”