I came into high school with the attitude that I would never really amount to anything great. I would struggle in level 7 classes and be lucky to be accepted into state schools, all because I wasn’t some prodigy like the Ivy League students.

        I constantly underestimated myself. I didn’t take the highest level classes or apply for leadership positions because why would I take a class just to fail or apply for something just to be rejected? But as time passed, I began to become bored with classes and frustrated with myself for not pushing myself harder and frustrated as I felt issues in committees could have been addressed more appropriately. 

        I started taking higher-level academics my junior year and helped build up the Health Club. I even considered applying to be a part of the Community System and a Kairos leader, but then the phrase “must have a strong faith life” ran over me like a bulldozer. So I decided I wasn’t worthy enough again.

        How was I to apply for a leadership position at a Catholic school when I struggle so much with my faith? I felt like a fraud to even consider applying, and I refused to make up a story just to get the position. So again, I sat back and let others have the jobs I wanted.

       What stung me the most was hearing teachers come up to me confused as to why I wasn’t a community leader. The fact that they believed in me so much when I couldn’t bring myself to believe in me, not only had I failed myself but I had failed others. 

        I was the one who chose this kind of experience for myself. Now don’t get me wrong, I had some amazing memories in high school. As I said, I helped build up the Health Club, that was one of my biggest pride and joys. Cheering on the mats of wrestling meets and being part of the wrestling family will forever be in my heart as well. 

        If I could grant you all with some advice it would be to give you the chance to know one of Mr. Keating’s (an old principal and president of Xavier) favorite sayings, “you never stay the same, you either get better or worse.” Remember, you choose the experience you have, and you’re capable of more than you think.