That Old September Feeling

40 This year is a new beginning. I kicked up the new year playing the piano on my first day at LePage. I realized that playing my favorite instrument despite others’ feelings toward myself is always better than avoiding my hobby because of being such an introvert. This year, I picked up on the success that I had made by playing the piano. This year is going to be another successful year in terms of music. I played my first Music Monday, and big events like the Homecoming Event, which I had never had a chance to play in September.

In a nutshell, this brand new fall season marked a fresh beginning. The old school year had gone and all the mistakes and mischances stayed in my Sophomore Year. Junior Year is important, which is why I would enhance a better version of myself who won't make mistakes, or miss the opportunities to make my journey even better. A fresh start and a new beginning is waiting to be explored ahead.

That Old September Feeling - Writing

Contest Winner

By Manuela Anton ’25

I knew this school year would be different from the rest and like nothing I had ever experienced before. I was not ready to live on a whole different continent for nine months and thinking about it made me feel overwhelmed and nervous. However, I couldn’t help feeling excited because of everything I was going to do for the first time: flying by myself, visiting the United States, studying at a boarding school…

I perfectly remember the last days before leaving. I had spent all summer convincing myself that I had many days left until the start of the school year. Quicker than a blink of an eye, September had already come and I had only one day left. People had asked me before if I was feeling nervous about going to school away from home on a whole different continent, and every time, my answer was the same. I always responded that I was not feeling nervous at all and that I still had time to enjoy my last days in Spain and spend them with my friends and family. When people asked me the question again on September first, I wanted to give them the same answer and appear confident, but I knew it was not that way anymore. I was terrified of taking such a big step. My grandfather was ill and I was scared he would leave us while I was in America. I didn’t want my friends to forget me and exclude me when I came back. I was scared of missing fun things and regretting it. I had negative concerns in my mind that I couldn’t make go away.

On September 2nd there was no going back. I had to be positive and take the huge opportunity that was being offered to me. I woke up early to get ready. I trembled a little while closing my suitcases. My parents took me to the airport and there we all said our goodbyes. They had told me they would definitely cry, but to my surprise, they just waved bye and gave me the biggest, most reassuring and comforting smile. My heart stopped for a minute and tears formed in my eyes, but I didn’t let them escape. “My parents can’t see me like that. I have to be strong,” I thought. Before turning back, I looked at my sister, the only one that had said she wouldn’t cry. She was almost crying. I couldn’t believe it. We fought a lot over the most stupid things, like all siblings do, but at the end of the day we knew we loved each other tremendously, and that moment really made it clear for me. I knew I was going to miss her a lot, but she was excited for me and what I

was about to experience. Thinking about this moment is making me cry right now, and I never thought I would drop a tear thinking about my little sister, the one person that gets on my nerves the most and perfectly knows how to annoy me. But I can’t help it; I absolutely adore her.

When I arrived in Hebron, I was a little uncertain and homesick. Nonetheless, I tried thinking about all the opportunities I would get from this experience. I had a chance for the fresh start I always wanted. A new country, a new school, and new friends. Everything would be new. The first few days here were way better than I expected. I was terrified of having trouble making friends, but I was surprised by how fast I formed a bond with most people I met. I felt very comfortable and started getting to know more people everyday and discovering more about the place in which I was going to live and make memories.

“Image of Hebron Academy Campus.” Strava, https://www.strava.com/clubs/hebronacademy-601283. The first full day of classes was very nervewracking. Before I came to Hebron, I imagined myself lost because of the language barrier, and being left out because no one I knew was in my classes. I realized that was part of the experience and I had to learn how to deal with those situations and make the best out of them. I approached everyone I could in my classes, and even though it is true I found it easier to talk to the people that spoke Spanish, I forced myself to speak to those who didn’t as well.

Another thing that worried me was the fall sport. I had signed up for soccer but never played before, and all my friends were doing field hockey. I decided to think of this as an opportunity to force myself to get to know new people and develop a new skill or a hobby that I didn’t know about before. Also, since soccer is very big in Spain, I believed this would keep me connected to my origins, culture and family. In Spain I always used to watch soccer games with my parents, uncles, aunts, siblings, grandparents and cousins. I remember the stress my family and I felt when the team we supported was not winning. Trying soccer for the first time has made me realize that we can enjoy something we never thought we would.

I started this school year with a question: “How can I make the most out of this year?” I have thought about it and for this year to be successful, I would like to accomplish many goals I proposed. Mainly, my goal is to work on my English. I want to improve my writing skills, and maybe even speak English just as well as I speak Spanish. I also want to make friends I will keep for many years and make memories that I will remember for the rest of my life. Given that I am only staying for a year, I want to experience fun and unforgettable adventures. I always wanted to go to an American Football game or a NBA game, attend a School Ball, and visit the biggest cities in the USA, like New York, Boston, Chicago. Maybe this is something I can cross off my bucket list this coming year.