May 17, 2012 Seniors ‘12 Not your typical bowl cut Life’s what you make it
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Writing this article has been both a trial and a tribulation. I’m not entirely sure what ‘tribulation’ means, but I’m still going to use it. I wouldn’t be the first high school student to use a word they don’t know the meaning of (ironic, legitimately, literally, coincidently, awkward). To jog my memory of the past four years, I pulled out the ol’ yearbooks, but all I could think about when I saw some p i c t u r e of myself running cross country or singing in my brief choir stint was “Why did I think I could cut my own bangs?!” N o t getting much inspiration from the yearbooks, I decided to get on Facebook and check out my wall from four years ago. Hey guys, remember when you updated your status five times a day, at least three of them were about your horse, and your profile picture was a picnik mirror shot? Maybe that was just me. Nevertheless, I continue to rifle through my personal Facebook
archives, looking for something to inspire a cliché high school article. After finding the picture of myself in my homemade duck costume from when I was just a wee child of 14, I decided this was a lost cause and moved on to the family phot albums. I had a good feeling as I pulled out the albums. I knew this is where I would finally find that winning shot of adorable little Ann petting a fluffy little bunny in a pretty pink dress. First picture in the album: me wearing a t-shirt and men’s overalls sitting on top of a forklift at my dad’s work. Next picture: me at age four, with a bowl cut, dancing topless around the living room to “Love Shack”. It is at this point that I accept the fact that the past 18 years have been anything but typical, and I’m okay with that. It’s my life, and I’ll cut my own bangs if I want to. Besides, I’ll probably make millions off my autobiography: “Ann Glavan: Not Your Typical Bowl Cut”.
The precious countdown seniors have whether, it is on their phone, agenda, or calendar, is finally down to single digits. The excitement and anticipation is overwhelming, to say the least. Graduating brings so many positives, such as no more high school, summer, new people, and of course, college. however, I see a few negatives as well. The main negative aspect is leaving my family and the place I have called home in less than three months. Independence is a huge part of graduating and going to college. I cannot wait for a fresh start and a completely new chapter in my life. Even though as seniors we all feel mature (most of us…) it will still be an eye opener next year without our family there. For example, we will miss eating a nice home cooked meal, having fresh laundry done, or simply waking up to your family every morning. As teenagers, we take a lot of things for granted, especially family. Take advantage of this summer with your family and cherish every second of it. Moving five hours away to Missouri next year will be a struggle for my mom and me especially. I
am not ashamed to say my mom is my best friend. All of my life she and I have had a great friendship and bond. I trust her and tell her everything. She is always there for me through the thick and the thin. Whether I am bawling my eyes out over a boy or laughing together over our inside jokes, my mom is always there. The waterworks that will take place on the day she moves me to college will be insane. I do not want to take anything for granted these last few months at home and want to appreciate all the time I have with my family before I move away. My family and I are planning on going to a cabin this summer before I leave. My mom and I also have a mother-daughter trip in the making as well. I’ll miss you Mom, but I will be back for an Iowa Hawkeye game before you know it, and if you can’t wait till then, there will be a room at the Marriott down in Columbia, Missouri with your name on it!
Ann Glavan Opinion Writer
Cherish your family
Katelyn Winker Feature Assistant Editor
Upon entering high school, many of us were told multiple times that these would be the best four years of our lives. To everyone who told me that four years ago I’d like to pose a question…What did you do for the rest of your life?! Now don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of things to love about these years, and I’m sure for some it is the best time of their life. However, I would like to argue that for many of us, perhaps even the majority of whom I’ve encountered, high school is only the beginning of adventurous, fun, and amazing years to come. Let’s be honest, when you look around the bright grey halls at Xavier High it’s not exactly Regina George and Chuck Bass you see. That’s not how it is supposed to be though! Unless you’re one of the lucky 10% who “bloom” early, your years at Xavier will probably contain at least a hint of acne, braces, high water khakis, awkward relationships, continuous tripping up the stairs (it’s really just inevitable), awkward school dances, contaminating a whole chemistry class’ lab (okay, maybe that’s just me), hiding from Marge, crying during APUSH exams, questionable makeup, failed archery tests (once
again maybe just me), and many other less-than-desirable moments. So lighten up on yourselves! Wear that polo with some dignity and go ahead, eat the apple and the broccoli at lunch today! (I hear they’re banning desert, muahahah.) In the words of my boys Three 6 Mafia, “Ever since I can remember I’ve been poppin my colla”. Like most of you, I’ve been in Catholic schools my whole life. I know how it goes, you get to sophomorejunior year and you have that thirst for adventure, the need to breathe out of these Catholic walls. This is the hardest part of high school. Each one of us have the choice to rebel and waste our parents’ money or to stop complaining and accept the situation you are in, which is really an amazing blessing to us all, and take advantage! No matter how much more freedom you think you may gain at another school, you are going to find faults in any school. And on a side note… raise your hands if you actually think your parents would let you transfer? That’s what I thought… so stop living a lie! In the words of muh gurl Smiley, “Life’s what you make it…so let’s make it rock.” xoxoxo
Mary Levett Opinion Writer
You’re gonna miss this Picture this: riding in the car on the way to your first day of high school, talking to your mom, and hearing the song lyrics “you’re gonna miss this, you’re gonna want this back, you’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast…” on the radio. This is exactly what happened to me. Then, a few weeks ago, this song came on the radio again while I was driving. It really made me think about my past four years at Xavier and what I will take away from my high school experience. I have gone through my high school years constantly being told that I need to enjoy it while it lasts because before I know it, this time in my life will be over. I have finally gotten to the point where I understand what all of those people meant. As my senior year comes to a close, there are many things that I would like to share with those of you who have not yet completed this journey.
1. Remember the little things. Whether it be the Saturday movie nights or scavenger hunts around CR with your friends, every moment is one that should be cherished. 2. Find a close group of friends who share your same values. This can make a huge difference in the person you become by the end of your own high school journey. 3. Take the time to smile. Don’t stress over the little things. Have fun and enjoy the ride. Dr. Seuss once said, “you have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” Do everything you can in your years left in high school and cherish the memories and relationships you have because you will wish the time hadn’t gone by so fast.
Katlyn Andersen Advertising Manager