As I prepare to take on the coveted title of
“Second-Semester Senior,” I look back on my past years of high school quite
fondly. Thinking about both the good and the bad times, thankful cannot
accurately describe what I feel toward my fellow seniors. They have struggled
with me in school, worked hard with me on the field, and celebrated the
excitement of our hard work shown through the multitude of college acceptance
letters currently circulating the community. Chagrin Falls has brought us
together through the traditions of the Pumpkin Roll, the Zoo, and Blossom;
however, I must thank Ms. Serensky for bringing a select group of the senior
class together through AP English 12. To my fellow thespian-lovers and
literary-questioners, I feel a special connection to all of you for
accompanying me on an adventure through Strout’s depressing stories to a
general disappointment of a delayed Gatsby film. Most importantly, AP English
12 has shown me a side of all of you that I never would have seen without
reading the weekly blog posts. The blogs connect our commonalities in
embarrassing awkwardness, random happiness, and frustrated questioning of life.
As we each share our stories and secrets week by week, I grow more and more
confident that this blog project has kept me from wishing for the end of high
school and the start of a new life. Blogging has also provided me with a
newfound confidence in my writing that hid from me in the past. I believe my
“most well-written” blog stands as “Shannon Plus Dedication Equals Nine.” For
one thing, I nailed the punctuation and I only let myself show arrogance
because one could habitually classify my grammar as subpar. This blog
represents my long awaited acceptance into the group of students who do not
lose a plethora of points for leaving out commas. I also feel that this piece
of writing does a good job of highlighting the juxtaposition of my siblings to
me, an intended effect to aid the characterization of myself as ambitious and
thirsty for literary blood. I believe that this thirst created a humorous
anecdote about true events in my life, making it relatable to my readers
(except for Ms. Serensky because Valedictorians do not have to compete with
their incompetent siblings). On a different note, I believe my most interesting
blog serves as “Reaping the Rewards of Redemption.” First of all, what an awesome
alliteration. It begins with a single word “redemption.” POW! I felt that the
simplicity brought a dramatic tone to my piece about the intensity of extra
credit in English class. I believe this blog sparks interest in my readers
because I give an honest look into my imperfect life in both Corn Hole and AP
English 12. I admit my flaws shamelessly and accept that a little boost never
hurt anybody. I enjoy this blog the most because I broke out of my blogging
shell to produce something funny that does not analyze a piece of old
literature. I do not always post hilarious blogs, but when I do, they generally
involve my awkward and embarrassing life. Many of my peers have made comments
on the tales of my uncomfortable life, including Kate Mackin. Kate chose to
comment on “Shannon Plus Dedication Equals Nine,” the piece about my
determination to live up to the standards set by my intelligent siblings. She
chose to metaphorically push me down a sewer and leave me their to cry in my
shame of imperfection by admitting that my post brought her no sympathy but did
make her appreciate her foiled role as the eldest, most prosperous sibling. Well
Kate, I would like to congratulate on your perfect, no-stress life. Only
joking! Your comment actually made me appreciate my role in the family as well.
Both of us have different statuses within our families but I must say that we
both turned out pretty well, definitely better and cooler than our siblings, at
least. In these comments, blogs, and my own writing, I have learned more about
myself and my peers than I have through simple interactions in the classroom
environment. Each AP English 12 student shows amazing talent and promise for
the future. I look forward to reading more blogs in the future but for now, my
fellow seniors, enjoy your auspicious title as a second-semester senior!
