Note: An abridged version of this article was published in the June 2 issue of the Concord Bridge.
“Weird” and “confusing” are the words used by a number of seniors from Concord-Carlisle High School’s class of 2023 to encapsulate their emotions: a poignant mixture of disbelief, elation, and wistfulness. Lindsay Mingolla describes feeling like “just yesterday, we were the incoming ninth graders,” and Robyn Herbert says that although she previously “couldn’t wait to be a senior and get out of high school,” leaving has taken on “a whole different meaning” now that she is one. She speaks for many of her peers when she expresses, “I don’t think anything can prepare you for all the emotions that come up at the end of senior year, but at the same time, I feel so lucky to have experienced all that I have during high school.”
Every senior emphasized the loving, caring community of CCHS and the niche they were able to find for themselves—areas in which they were able to cultivate and explore passions in both curricular and extracurricular opportunities that have played an integral role in shaping their futures.
Harrison Wei, who found his home in CC Theatre and Improv Club, says that he discovered “the magic of theatre [he] never knew was there” through performing arts electives and extracurriculars. He aspires to become an actor on Broadway, starting by pursuing a BFA in Acting. Once he has “finished [his] time in the spotlight,” Wei plans to return to school so that he can coach and inspire the next generation of actors.
Although Jules Serafini never expected she would “[become] immersed into CC Theatre [her] senior year,” just two productions were enough to open up a new passion. Serafini hopes that she will be able to minor in performing arts while majoring in Media Psychology—another decision shaped by CCHS: Serafini cites sociology as her favorite class that “has truly inspired me to pursue social psychology” by “[making] me question society… including social norms, behaviors, and influences we have on each other.”
For some seniors, CCHS completely reversed their predicted path for themselves. Lily Thorpe, who once “promised myself I would never take another chemistry class,” will study chemistry at her dream school, which she hopes will lead her to either completing a Ph.D. or returning to CCHS to teach the subject. A large part of her inspiration and change of heart stems from the AP Chemistry class she took at CCHS, which she said has “resulted in the most growth for me as a student.” Simultaneously, Thorpe’s love for figure skating—which she started at five years old—remained steady throughout the rocky years of high school.
Thorpe aptly summarizes, “The idea of leaving everything I have known for the past 18 years is a feeling of deep sadness which has challenged the joy I feel for my future path.” Still, Thorpe and her peers are thrilled to pursue the careers they are passionate about. Although Herbert currently has “no idea” where she’ll be in ten years, she says, “I guess that’s kind of the beauty of it, right?… I am so excited to see where I do end up because right now, the possibilities are endless.” Among the seniors, the shared excitement for each other’s futures in addition to their own is evident: Mingolla exclaims, “I can’t wait to see the amazing things that my classmates do in the coming years!”
Advice for underclassmen? “[Don’t] be afraid of rejection,” says Serafini; as Herbert describes, “I personally wanted to fit in and be ‘cool’ freshman year, but after COVID… I realized it was better for me to be myself because it made me so much happier and allowed me to make some really genuine close friends.” Many seniors echo Mingolla’s advice to “make new friends, put [themselves] out there, and explore” new activities, passions, and events—such as Mingolla’s favorite annual tradition of Kicks for Cancer—so that they can “look back [on their high school career] with no regrets.” Thorpe additionally suggests forming close teacher-student relationships, saying, “The classes I have gained the most from are the ones in which I have formed strong bonds with my teachers.” Though academics are important, Sofia Travias also reminds students that they “are only half of the high school experience,” urging underclassmen to “get involved,” “find your people,” and “[pursue] your passions.” “I promise you’ll quickly find friends that become more like family,” she says.
The bittersweet recollections of the seniors’ time at CCHS will culminate in the graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 3. Undoubtedly, our seniors’ awe-inspiring achievements and aspirations merit sincere congratulations as they eagerly step into adulthood and a new chapter of their lives.
