A dedication to our best friends, and the viral meme “Adrian, explain our friend group…”

“Welcome to our Virtual Book Club!” The moment Mrs. Fulleman uttered those words all those years ago in 2020 on that fateful Zoom meeting, our lives were never the same. Through Sierra Vista’s online Book Club hosted by its now-retired head librarian, Vee (Hi, humans!) and Kayleigh (Hello!) interacted for the very first time…and we’ve been with each other ever since!

Kay: “How are we still friends?”

Vee: “No idea!”

Sticking with each other has been the best part of our high school years. From yapping in the Canyon Library each morning to spending our senior prom together, we’ve always been there for each other, which is honestly the first rule to making it through high school if you ask me.

Vee: “You speak so highly of me, Kayleigh! I’m shocked!”

Kay: “Don’t get used to it. I’m just being sentimental because we are graduating.”

This time of year, though, we aren’t the only ones reminiscing on our high school friendships. As graduation comes closer, it has become increasingly apparent that we are spending our last minutes with our friends on Canyon High’s campus.

Many seniors have begun reflecting on the last four years, thinking about the impact being a Cowboy has had on them as they plan for the future. But, of the things that you move on from, some people would be surprised by what can make their way back to them. By the end of senior year, everybody has their cliques figured out—they have their people. That’s what, especially for us, has made the moments memorable and the future exciting.

“Friends are going to come and go.” While that statement never proved itself to be wrong, that doesn’t mean you’re never going to find your people. It can take time—or even a torturesome ninth-grade English class…

Kay: “Is that a reference to Asher and I?”

Vee: “I don’t know… Let’s ask him!”

Asher: “Hi.”

It could also be that person who’s been with you since the start, whether you realize it or not. Some of the best friendships can form from being neighbors, going to the same elementary school, or knowing each other’s families. It may take years for those bonds to form, but one thing’s for sure—they are unbreakable.

Vee: “Isys Isys Isys Isys Isys—”

Icy: “WHAT.”

Vee: “I see me and you in Kayleigh and Adri sometimes.”

Kay: “That’s scary.”

Adri: “Huh?”

Asher: “Can I go-?”

Vee/Kay: “NO!”

Sometimes, just putting yourself out there and offering someone a seat at your table can be the spark that ignites the flame.

Elise: “Is that a reference to the “Shatter Me” books?”

Lily: “I’m pretty sure it is.”

Vee: “KAYLEIGH PUT THE BOOK DOWN, AND FOCUS ON OUR JOURNALISM ARTICLE.”

Kay: “NEVER!”

Icy: “Couldn’t even be a “Twilight” reference? Wow, Kay.”

Even at the end, you can still make friends. Towards the end of our junior year at Canyon, our friend Elise introduced us to Malia, a family friend who was also in the Gold Star Brigade (Canyon’s Band). Little did we know, she would become an integral part of our friend group during senior year.

Malia: “I’m pretty confident you’re all goblins.”

Asher: “Yeah? Well, Vee is an alien.”

Vee: “Something about that is so wrong.”

Elise: “Not if it’s accurate.”

We ended up asking our fellow goblins themselves…

Vee: “What are you gonna miss the most about our friend group after high school?”

Icy: “How we are gonna see each other everyday.”

Kay: “Just being able to always have someone to talk to.”Elise: “I’m gonna miss the impulsive outings and being able to be close to each other so often.”

Malia: “I’m gonna miss all of us being on the same page and on the same path.”

Asher: “How weird we all are…”

Lily: “I’m going to miss seeing all my friends regularly!”

….

“I’ll still be in your walls though.”

When reflecting on our senior year and high school experience as a whole, one aspect—or should we say group of people—stood out time and time again. Our friends were always there. Making us laugh, making us cry (tears of joy, of course), and just making school bearable: that is what our friends did for us.

So, if we had to leave something behind as we graduate from Canyon, it’d be this piece of advice: whether you’re just starting, continuing, or even finishing high school, find your goblins (or humans!)…they make life worth living. 🙂