Sometimes, my English teacher breaks into an Irish accent at random.

Other times, a friend quotes a movie in perfect context.

And all the time, the marching band belts out the song ‘Stacy’s Mom’ on bus rides.

If laughter is truly the greatest medicine, then Cherry Hill should transform East into a hospital. Amidst the frenzy of activity that takes place within these walls, there persists an aura of joy. Every day without fail, the East community has shown me that there are so many reasons to be happy. Maybe your friend is celebrating her birthday, maybe you got a good grade on a test, or maybe you have a date this weekend. I have found that if you revel in those moments of surprise and excitement, your worries will seem less overwhelming.

You see I never much liked Hamlet’s idea that life is worthless and miserable. The fun I have had participating in extracurricular activities and classes throughout high school strongly counteracts this belief. I prefer to think like Don Quixote (minus the craziness) and seek out the opportunities and people that bring me joy. East provides its students with the chance to discover what makes them happy, while making lifelong memories in the process. I can say with confidence that when I look back to my time at East next year or twenty years from now, my fondest memories will be the times that I have laughed so hard I cried.

Toddlers laugh up to 300 times per day, compared to fifteen for adults. Seize the moments of laughter you experience at East, and then keep on laughing. Because life is too much fun to only laugh fifteen minutes a day!