Walking into East on my first day as a scared freshman, I had no idea what the next four years would bring.   Four years ago, I never expected that I would make some of the best memories of my life here at East. I never expected that, in these presumably stressful classes, I would meet some of my best friends. For example, I no longer think about how bored I was reading Oedipus Rex in sophomore English, and instead think about how glad I am to have met one of my best friends in that class.

Going into high school, I was unsure what activities I wanted to do. In a spur of the moment decision, I decided to join the marching band. I can honestly say this was one of the best decisions of my life. Of course, I have spent the past four years complaining about how I didn’t want to go to rehearsal, or that the uniform is uncomfortable, but now that it is over I realize how lucky I am to have had that in my life. I will never forget the people I met, because they have become like a second family. In addition to the marching band, I also joined the jazz band, symphony orchestra, and pit orchestra. I found my place as a trumpet player and a musician, something that will now stay with me through college and the rest of my life.

The amazing friends I made, activities I joined, and myriad of influential teachers I met have truly helped me become the person I am now, and for that I am forever thankful to Cherry Hill East. Thank you, East, for making it so hard to say goodbye.