To my fellow soon-to-be graduates:

As I sat for the first time in EGS, as a nervous freshman, I struggled to remember the password for my new laptop. Quickly my adrenaline skyrocketed as my peers typed in the URL address of the website we were instructed to visit. I anxiously spun to my left and right, praying someone might be able to help. After somewhat regaining my cool, I remembered the password I had typed into my Mac—the same one I had used every day over summer—and eventually caught up to my class.

As I look back on this day as a senior, I laugh and feel a bit nostalgic. My worries throughout the years—tests, quizzes, and presentations—now seem so trivial in the grand scheme of things, so unlike I had always made them out to be. Little did I know that Marymount would pave the way for limitless curiosity, countless opportunities, and substantial friendships, all of which mean so much more than a letter grade on some piece of paper. Little did I know that through this school, I would be given the tools to strengthen the foundation of who I am as a person.

As I write this article, I think back to the past four years. I think back to the time we killed the spirit week dance competition freshman year, the times we’d race into the Sailor Surplus Store for freshly baked brownies, the time we collectively occupied the lawn. I think of all the small conversations that just meant so much, and of the laughter and tears shared during our retreats. I think of our friends playfully teasing us for wearing our blazers on non-uniform days, and the complete chaos of our seemingly never-ending class meetings.

All madness aside, I am completely in awe of the Class of 2016. Our class is brilliant, creative, poetic, vocal, kind, curious, musical, funny, beautiful, and quirky.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of you strong, independent women. I know you will each go far, but even so, I wish you happiness and success from the bottom of my heart. It has been a pleasure to study, sweat, laugh, and cry beside you. Honestly, the world better watch out: it’s about to be taken by storm by the ones who’ll run the biggest companies, debate with the toughest opponents, and win the most challenging competitions.

Class of 2016, remember the world is your oyster, and life is your highway! Be sure to smile, enjoy the little things, and remember where you came from as you ride through the highway of life all night long.