Senior Editorial- Amy Moore

May 29, 2009
Filed under Student Blogs

            As one continues through high school, and even life, several realizations will be made. These epiphanies can be large or small, life-altering or just observations. As I have now completed more than three and a half years of high school, I myself have made such a realization. I have found that few people truly understand and accept just who I am. Furthermore, I have discovered that this is not only true for me, but also for others.

            Sometimes people wonder if anyone really knows them. Is there anyone who can expect the unexpected, understand and know when you are hurt or happy, or even can just accept all of who you are? A person can travel through life, surrounded by those he or she calls friends and acquaintances, people who seem to be trustworthy and reliable. However, a time comes when it turns out that friends may not be as close as once thought. No one may understand the person you are.

            Take me, for example. During my time at East, I have formed new and cherished friendships, acquired acquaintances, and have begun to discover who I really am. Yet it seems that no one can even begin to comprehend the real me and I have found that to many, I exist as an illusion. And yes, I do realize that since I have not even begun to fully develop who I am, I can hardly expect others to completely understand me. However, I do hold the belief and wish that enough of my personality shines through that people can see who I may be. Unfortunately, I have failed to establish this belief.

As time has gone on, I have discovered that many of my fellow peers view me as the nice, quiet, smart girl. While these characteristics certainly do not have a negative connotation, it can be rather tiresome to be thought of as the wholesome “girl-next-door” type. Even as a senior among people I have known throughout high school, I am quite often viewed this way. Whenever I say or do the unexpected, often others react with mild shock or disbelief. I simply shrug it off because I am expressing who I am. Yet when close friends react this way, it is harder to shrug off, for those are the people who are supposed to know me. Fortunately, I have a few friends who have come to always expect the randomness that is truly me.

            So as time has progressed and I have realized just how few people really know me, I have resolved to try to end this stereotype about myself and share the person I am with others. I will hide my fear of rejection, and reflect not an illusion, but the true me. It is with this resolution that I believe others can also break free and become unafraid of sharing themselves. With this change, I hope and believe that people will accept one another and begin to appreciate the true value of each individual.