As the year is rapidly coming to an end, I’m finally ready to write my “Senior Reflection” as a soon to be a proud graduate of Peekskill High School. These last four years at PHS for me have been full of changes, friends, family, tears, laughs and of course those infamous Red Devil moments. I cannot believe that it’s all coming to an end. I can still remember sitting in the auditorium for freshman orientation and listening to our principal at the time, Mrs. Lazarus, “In 720 days you will be walking across that stage in your blue and red cap & gowns!”  They really do mean it “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Freshman year was an eye opener; it was really a great year for me. I was really ready for the next 180 days! I also found out what I wanted to do after high school. I wanted to be in the Food Service Industry. So I did what I had to in my next two years to be eligible to attend the BOCES program in junior year.  Sophomore year was a lot harder than the previous year, but I can admit I did struggle. Junior year came and went, not too much to really talk about because if you weren’t there you wouldn’t understand! Senior year started like any other with the preparation of Spirit Week but this one was really special because  it was our LAST Spirit Week! It didn’t hit me until I was out there dancing for the final time! Well now with 40 days left of high school I have some advice and insight on what to look out for and what to do for a successful four years!

I will start by saying that if something seems easy there is one of two things going on; the subject comes to you as a second nature or you’re doing it wrong! To be honest, there’s nothing like being a Peekskill High School student.  I don’t think many of you realize how good we, here at PHS, have got it. Teachers who use their time to be there for us, many, many resources around the building, and we really have people that care for all individuals in this building. Believe it or not, our staff here is taken so much for granted it’s not even funny. Whatever you do within these walls doesn’t matter to me, but please whatever you do make sure you treat this staff with the respect that they are owed. I emphasize this because without the people inside these walls I wouldn’t have been able to say that I am attending Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, NC for a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a full scholarship. I don’t have to worry about tuition, housing, books or any other fees for that matter. I truly want all the staff to know that I may or may not have had you for a teacher, but regardless of that I want to thank you all for all the time, dedication, love and respect you give us, the students, here at PHS. In closing I will leave you all with this:  “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” –Walt Disney

Shout outs to the entire Class of 2014 as well as the people that have been there through almost everything: Brandi, Sterling & Manny. I wish everyone the best of luck with all future endeavors after June 29^th!