Personal Narrative: My High School Career

My palms were sweating, my heart was racing, I had no idea what to expect or who I was going to meet. I was never the type of girl to embrace new situations, I hated change and I wasn’t very good with meeting new people. I figured once I got to high school it would be my chance to start all over, turn the page in my book of life, and flip over a new leaf. I wanted to finally be the girl that fit in with everyone. I had imagined myself going to parties with big groups of my new friends, having sleepovers and doing all of the things cool high school kids normally do. I was certain that my high school career would be just like one of those really corny teen movies and I would live happily ever after with the homecoming crown and the boy of my

It was May 25, 2018 at 7:47 in a steaming hot gymnasium when the name Anthony Joseph Sansalone was getting called from the loud speaker, the sixth to last person to receive their diploma I begun shaking the hands of all the board members and everything that I had known from the last 13 years at the same school was over and a new chapter of my life was stating to begin. A few seconds after receiving my diploma the Class President guided us to changing of our tassels from right to left then commencement was over and I was walking out with my future roommate at BGSU, Vincent Zhang, we looked at each other knowing that our high school career was descending and our college careers were lifting off together. High school was tuff for me due to the fact that I have know what I wanted to do since I was a freshman, I want to become an animator and work for an Academy Award winning company such as

I consider my Middle School career to be like climbing a mountain. You start the climb not knowing what to expect, not knowing what types of things you will run into. As the climb progresses, you become more accustomed to your terrain. Through experience, you learn which places to rely on, which rocks and ledges you know you can trust with your life. Throughout your climb, things can get a little rough. Sometimes, you may feel like giving up and climbing back downwards. Other times, you may feel like you have no ledges to help you climb the mountain. However, after the hard climb, the view is beautiful.

I had a very rough ending to my high school career. I was quite adament on doing my assignments independently, so I failed multiple classes over my sophmore and junior years. I was behind on the credits I needed in order to graduate and walk. My senior year, I had to retake 4 classes worth of credits and pass all my current classes to graduate. Through all that year long grinding and work, I finished my my credit recovery classes a whole month early. Without putting the idea of not actually graduating with my friends and disappointing my family, I probably wouldn't have done all the work I needed to graduate. Having a goal and the mindset to actually go and achieve it is paramount to actually get somewhere in life.

Growing up in a small town has forced me to face many challenges. Some of them being small like trying to figure out what to do on a Friday night, but some were much larger challenges like, what do I wanna do with my education, and how can I further it. These many decision haunted me throughout my four years of high school. In high school I would be considered very involved. My high school career included sports, my studies, an active Warrior sports fan, and planning events within student council. Multitasking was the greatest tool I learned during my high school career. After high school I plan to attend a four year university to gain the experience and knowledge I will need for the real world.

Sometimes finding time to do everything you need to do is nearly impossible. Some people push somethings to the side for later, or they just completely forget about them. That is why my ability to balance all aspects of my life throughout my high school career has made me very proud. I have always loved playing sports, so when I got to high school, I was so ready to be one of those kids on the varsity team. I played basketball for two years and softball for two years, earning All Districts and All Regions honors for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. I also knew I wanted to be involved in the school, so I joined some clubs, Art Club, Spirit Club, Volunteer Club, National Honors Society, and Student Council. I have been on the board for volunteer club

“Go ahead, underestimate me. You won't be the first… You won't be the last… But you will be wrong”- Steve Maraboli. All throughout my life, people have doubted me and said that I can't and won't do that. The thing is that they are always wrong and I always prevail. Going into my junior year, I knew it was going to be a big year for me physically and mentally. I decided to take my first two Ap courses of my high school career. I knew it was going to be challenging, but I was up for it. I decided to get more involved in school by going to sporting events and joining tech crew. Academically I believe I have been decent despite letting myself down through procrastination and my personal life. This year like every year has been tough. My emotions

Throughout my high school career, I chose the recommended path. I followed the requirements and chose my courses based on the advice of my counselors and my older classmates: use high school as a period of exploration and growth. Whenever possible, I took classes that I knew I would enjoy; Digital Graphics, Sociology, World Religions, and French. Senior year, I chose to take Accounting and Statistics because of my interest in business (sparked by Business Principles and Ownership) and probability. In taking these classes, I hoped to explore potential career and major paths. Additionally, I chose to take classes that would expand my knowledge by stretching me to my limits. These classes included Calculus, AP Human Geography, American Literature,

Developing into a mature, educated adult is like building the perfect sundae. It all starts with cream, sugar, and vanilla beans. After a time, cream becomes ice cream, ready for hot fudge, peanuts, and whipped cream.

Around age 5, I began to resolve conflicts between my friends. Two of them were always in disagreement, usually over unequal sharing. At the sight of this, I eventually became fed up and decided to help. One day they both were over at my house, yet again arguing, so I sat them down, suggested that we talk about the issue, and devised a plan on who could use the trampoline when and for how long. We methodically worked out a schedule, and at last, their stubborn mindsets disbanded into a healthy relationship. This instant, and many others like it, formed my wish to help people with the small things, improving and making their life just a bit easier.

Right after high school graduation, I had the opportunity to go to college on a wrestling scholarship. I had to declare a major when I signed up for classes, and I knew from the start what I thought I wanted to do. My favorite subject in school was math, and my two favorite teachers were math teachers, and one of them was also my wrestling coach. I thought he had the best job in the world, and I wanted to do the same thing. I want a career that focuses on something I know and like (math), that lets me be around young people (high school teaching), and that might let me also continue to be involved in wrestling (coaching part time). I also wanted a job that gave me a great schedule: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with weekends and summers off. My parents

They started teaching us in middle school that we don’t ever get it easy after this. When they said we didn’t get it easy, I thought that just meant the classes weren’t easy in high school or in college. No. They meant life is not easy after this, they meant it was time for us to put our big kid pants on and grow up. Beginning my high school career is when I finally realized that life is not just handed to me, that I have to work to get where I want to be.

My time in High School was made difficult from the constant strife and conflict between my parents. This made my home an unstable environment not fitted for learning or growing as an individual. As I got older and closer to graduating High-School, I began to find my own voice with the help of my mentor Rahn Fleming, which occurred at the end of my junior year. As a result, I came in control of my life and the constant feuding started to die down. No longer did I have to worry about the next scheduled court date, or the next time I would come home wondering what may await. I felt like I was always walking on broken glass for the longest of time throughout my life, until I began to voice myself and what I wanted. My parents came to realize this

I am very proud of myself and the grades I’ve accomplished to improve each year in my high school career. Freshmen year was a little difficult since I had trouble processing work, but sophomore year I improved a little more and reached my standards. I've always tried my best and worked really hard to get the grades I wanted and managed to get them up by junior and senior year. and I feel so proud because it was a goal of mine. I was always a kind and hardworking student and I never gave up. I always ask for help when I needed it and have a better understanding on what I’m doing after high school.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” - Albert Einstein. It can easily be said that my high school career was driven by this saying. From the first day of grade nine I decided that I was going to become an active and prominent member of the school community, not for the recognition, but so that when I graduate I can look back on my years at O’Connor and be proud of the mark I left on the school.