It's Over—Now Enjoy It

by Avi Mandhana, Class of 2026 Salutatorian, Eastside Catholic School

Wow—

Sorry, guys. I know, I know… I figured I should get that out of the way first. At this point, it's basically a tradition to start your speech with a big "Wow." But I think the more fitting phrase is, "It's over."

That's why we deserve this graduation and, more importantly, this entire summer. Something I've noticed about myself this year is that as I immersed myself in grades, college applications, deadlines and trying to plan my future, I became weirdly detached from my actual life. I knew it was getting serious when even the price of DECA Diet Cokes saw 60% inflation.

All jokes aside, I've always heard that second-semester senior year was supposed to be the "chillest time of my life," but it wasn't, and I don't think I was the only one.

Part of it I will blame on myself. I was questioning my own decision to spend my after-school time rehearsing for the pit orchestra. In the end, of course, it was worth it, and I enjoyed myself. But I think I was so used to doing something after school and "being productive" that I forced myself into these commitments just for the sake of staying busy.

These past couple of weeks, I've been trying to combat that. My friends and I have started going on hikes, playing pickup basketball at the Y and working out together. None of it was particularly productive or "locked in," and that's what I enjoyed.

We're in a weird spot right now, between four years of high school and, for a lot of us, another four years pursuing a bachelor's degree. If I learned anything from high school, life will speed up again—and maybe even faster.

So go out and enjoy this summer. Enjoy the rest of the year, and take it easy for once.