By Olivia Guerra, Chief Financial Officer
Around this time last year I had many questions on my mind. Most being the typical incoming junior questions like “What classes should I take next year?” or “Should i study for the ACT or the SAT?”. However, one that constantly plagued my mind for months was : What is the meaning to today? By that I meant, why am I here? What is my purpose? How can I make today better for me and those around me?
Now those that know me well know that I overthink a lot. So obviously on this complex question that many well-renowned philosophers can’t answer in their lifetimes, I overthought a lot too. It made me scared. It made me stressed. But most importantly, it made me feel like everyday was pointless. If I didn’t have a distraction like going out with my friends or hanging out at school after practice then that day would be spent sitting in my room or by my window thinking about what my contribution to the world would be.
I knew that I always wanted to help people in the future, impact someone’s life, but I didn’t know how. How could someone so young and naive do anything to make progress? I knew that I had basketball and I knew that I had my family and my friends but at this time I felt so alone and helpless.
I stayed this way for a long time until one night I was driving home from school with my brother and amidst his botched singing of a Hamilton song I asked him, “Michael, do you ever feel like everyday is pointless and life is just rushing by you?” And he responded with words that would change my entire high school experience: “If you’re so dissatisfied with your life right now then do something about it.” Blunt… yet so incredibly true.
Coincidentally the next week packets came out for ASB interviews. I realized that this was my opportunity to help others, to get out of my slump, and I took it. I prepared extensively for my interview, gathered my courage and 3 weeks later I found out that I had accomplished my goal and made it onto ASB for the next school year. This year was probably one of the best experiences for me, even though junior year really threw me for a loop. My life completely flipped and I had met so many amazing people with incredible stories through ASB. I learned new skills, gained confidence, and felt overall happier. But most importantly, I felt like I could finally help my fellow classmates and make a difference at a schoolwide level.
Now you may be wondering, “Why did she just tell me her life story?” And honestly, I would question too if a random 16 year old wrote a personal life story and published it to the internet. But then again, I realized that there are a lot of other high schoolers out there who struggle with the concepts of their futures as well.
My overall point that I’m trying to make is, if you want something changed, if YOU want to make an impact, YOU have to do something about it. If you want an A on your math test, YOU have to study for it. If you want that starting spot, YOU have to work for it. If you want to dig yourself out of a hole, YOU have to have the will and desire to. I waited for something or someone to come and save me. But it wasn’t until I got a well-meaning push that I decided to make a change in my life for the better.
So hopefully this story is a push for you to make a positive change in your life or someone else’s. So with that, I’ll leave with this quote, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” So go out and dance through life! You got this :)