A Letter to the Class of 2020 from Manasi Simhan, Graduating Senior

5/29/20

Manasi Simhan is a graduating senior of the Class of 2020, and she is planning to attend the University of Wisconsin. Her involvement in the Laurel Springs student community has been invaluable!
Dear Class of 2020,
It's almost graduation day. To many, this is a day of excitement, relief, and TONS of college gear—something that I, myself, have been looking forward to since my freshman year of high school.
Traditionally, National College Decision Day is May 1st, but it was definitely a little different from the past. With the current events occurring worldwide, almost half of the country's colleges made the choice to extend decision day to at least June 1st of this year, giving students the flexibility necessary to make the most suitable arrangements for their future. As a current senior, I understand why this is a stressful situation. Not being able to tour the colleges you have been accepted into and not knowing whether you will be able to physically study at your school in the fall can leave a lot of questions unanswered—I completely get it. It's a confusing time for all of us.
But wait—don't go losing all hope! I also know just how hard each and every senior worked to be here today. You've probably dealt with more than a few late-night cram sessions and likely felt stressed over an exam or two, but you're still alive, and you should be proud of that. The lessons, classes, assessments, standardized tests, and the endless mountain of work you have toiled and struggled through over the past four years has finally paid off, culminating in graduation and a college decision.
Now, I know that deciding on your future may seem daunting, and you may even want to pull out all your hair (I definitely almost did), but just know that the choice you make is one that you should be proud of, regardless of what anyone says. Why? Because you're awesome and you survived high school. It's as simple as that!
To all you parents and teachers out there: On behalf of the Laurel Springs class of 2020, I just want to thank you for always being there for us and dealing with us, through the best of times and worst of times. We are eternally grateful for all you have done for us over the past four years of high school!
To the class of 2020, I would like to leave you with these parting words:
You have put in the work over the past four years to be here. You have earned the grades, survived the standardized tests, and likely even participated in a plethora of extracurriculars. So what does this mean? You have proven yourself to be smart, capable, and worthy of whatever path you choose to follow in the future. Whether you have accepted a school, are still deciding, have chosen to take a gap year, or gone into the workforce and followed your passion, congrats on getting to this point.
 

Be proud. Smile. Take a deep breath. You’re almost there.

 
Manasi SimhanIn the words of Dr.Seuss:
"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
So…
Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!"

Good luck in all of the adventures that lie ahead!