Thank you Samo

Jaredan: When I first walked through the gates of Samo, I had no idea what to expect. I knew nothing about high school. I had never been on campus except for one middle school flag football game on the field (yeah, I was one of those kids). It was impossible to even comprehend the wild journey that was about to take place. From my first nervous days of freshman year to now as a graduating senior headed to college, the perspective is striking. Analisa: I remember when I was a freshman sitting in orientation, at the end of the little seminar, the seniors in ASB who spoke to us were asked to give us one last piece of advice for high school. As they struggled to come up with something, I wondered what my answer would be if I was in that position. They ended up answering with something cliche and obvious that I don't even remember. The truth is, we ended up not needing a few sentences to guide us. With nothing but an eagerness to learn and explore, we took on the first couple years at Samo.Jaredan: There are now 697 of us on the verge of graduating. 697 who stood all the tests and rigors that this school provided us with. 697 who will go from students to alumni in one day after four long years. As we undergo this gargantuan transition, it is important to remember our roots. We were all nervous freshmen at some point and we have all gone through so many tests and applications and homework assignments and endless days warm and cold in class, working and learning.Analisa: We just kinda went with the flow and tried our best to feel at home. I'm sure we all have figured out by now that this is a very different and interesting school. And we are an interesting class. Almost notorious, in fact. I'm in a program called Youth and Government where we travel and meet kids our age from schools all over California. When I introduce myself as a Santa Monica delegate and explain that I go to Santa Monica High School, the kids’ eyes light up with intrigue. It's hilarious! And I almost always get the same response. It goes something like: "Oh! Isn't that the school that..." and then tell some ridiculous story about flying objects at pep rallies or teachers wrestling students and I proudly respond "yes, that's us!" So many people are actually incredibly fascinated by our schools stories from the past couple years. If there is one thing that this school, and our particular class has mastered, it is the art of comedy. I've noticed that we somehow manage to incorporate humor into everything we do. Sometimes it gets a little out of hand. But it's important we do this because in life, we forget to laugh. Jaredan: During my first year on the newspaper as a sophomore, I contributed to every section and became a mainstay on the sidelines of varsity football games with my class camera and notepad. Even last-minute, 10 p.m. calls from editors asking me to change something in my article on a Sunday night became part of the ritual–part of the rite of passage. At the end of the year, I was proud of myself for staying focused and working hard and even making some friends along the way. I realized that these were the type of experiences that high school is made for.Analisa: We are so busy that we forget to enjoy this face paced experience. This student body has faced unexpected hardships and surprises that no one should have to experience, especially within the past year. But we took on everything that came our way and we're still smiling and standing strong. What I love about this class is that so many of us are already unexpectedly precocious and wise. If you ask anyone what their goal is in life, they say be happy. This group of students understands that happiness is not a destination; It's what you make out of every homecoming, every pep rally, every class every single day. Jaredan: Our class has faced an unprecedented amount of tragedy and adversity. This year was not easy for any of us as we lost so much within our community. And covering all that has happened in the newspaper had its own challenges. But here we are, still together. Still Samo. The Earth is still spinning and will continue to for the foreseeable future (see last issue’s sustainability article) so we might as well push forth and make the future great here for ourselves and those that will fill our shoes in time to come. We are the example and I believe that is a role everyone in our class can play well if they try.Analisa: It is evident that this community is filled with hardworking kids who already dedicate their lives to be successful and make each other proud. However, these same kids are blessed with an amazing sense of humor. We know how to laugh. We know how to have fun. So no matter what we do next, where we go or what challenges we encounter, I am confident that each and every one of us who knows how to laugh will be successful. The combination of our playful view of life and ambition for success will lead us to happiness no matter what we do. We are leaving Samo with the tools we need to meet the pursuit of happiness every single day. That is the greatest gift this place could give us and the greatest gift we can give ourselves. I am so proud of us for teaching each other these skills. And I am so proud of us for somehow becoming this community.Jaredan: Everyone has had their moments at Samo that they will never forget. Mine would be finally stepping past my nerves and performing as part of the Mr. Viking competition this past March or maybe playing in my first varsity basketball game. But the lesson I learned both of those days is one that many have learned or will learn as life goes on. Doubt in oneself is pointless. This is the lesson I instill to my Class of 2020 brother and what I would say to any underclassmen as advice. The Class of 2017 is so inspirationally confident in itself and each and every person should learn from that example.Analisa: I now know what advice to give kids at the orientation as a senior in ASB. I know what to tell my little brother entering his freshman year this fall. I'll remind them to work as hard as they can at the things they love, but most importantly I would tell them what the Samo Class of 2017 taught me: to always be respectful, but don't ever think twice to look for the humor in everything, and don't ever forget to laugh. Jaredan: I want to thank everyone here at Samo as you all have contributed to the development that I would not have had any other way. I also want to thank my staff from this year on The Samohi for teaching me so much and being my family. I could not have imagined a better group of individuals to work with and lead. I can now say with confidence that I am deeply satisfied with the experience I have had here and all the lessons I learned.Both of us have had separate, up-and-down paths to end up together at the same place in time here at Samo, about to graduate. But the bottom line is that we learned that everything happens for a reason and whatever is meant to be, will be. Every encounter, every incident we experienced at this school led us to find each other and we couldn't be more grateful. We will never forget our little high school love story at Santa Monica High School. Thank you. Goodbye Samohi,Jaredanalisa