For some reason, Mr. Evans is allowing me to write a senior reflection, so, after hearing and reading as many as I could, from George Washington’s (first American president) to Olivia Pocat’s (Class of 2023 editor), to Lou Gehrig’s (Yankees first baseman), and to Austin Bell’s (California FFA State President), here’s my best shot at one. Through a mix of movie quotes and advice I have acclimated during my past four years at Westmont, here is my attempt at a senior reflection.
- “Carpe Diem” – Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society
*I have never seen Dead Poets Society. However, since I love Robin Willaims, and Tortured Poets Department, I felt like I could include it in my reflection.*
“Carpe Diem” is pretty straight forward. It translates to seize the day, and that’s pretty much how I interpreted it, back toward the end of sophomore year. Make the most of every day. You don’t know when you won’t wake up, and I don’t know about you, but I want to be remembered for something. Sign up for clubs, try out for that sports team, take that class. Live every day to the fullest extent, and when you go to bed at night, after a long day, nothing beats looking back at what you’ve done, and the changes you’ve made.
- “If you built it, they will come” – Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams
*I have seen Field of Dreams, which is the greatest baseball movie after Moneyball.*
Now, this quote is perfect to encapsulate high school, except for one word, the “they.” That being said, if you build up yourself, if you build somewhere where you belong, people will come.
- “You met me at a very strange time of my life.” – Ed Norton, Fight Club
* This quote is courtesy of my second favorite Halbert sister.*
Everyone in high school is a little strange, myself included. The moment you get over it and accept it will open so many doors for you, and allow you to make so many important connections with other students.
- “Son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.” – James Tolkan, Top Gun
*Greatest movie ever.*
Almost every freshman thinks it’s a flex to stay up late, to drink copious amounts of caffeinated beverages, and to use other… methods to stay on track. And in my years at Westmont, I’ve met people who could balance school work, sports, extracurricular activities, and not sleeping, but I’ve met just as many people that have burnt out under the stress. So, remember, high school is just one part of your life, so remember to have fun every now and then, take that nap, and let school take a back seat for a little while.
- “Have fun storming the castle.” – Billy Crystal, The Princess Bride
*Cco-greatest movie ever.*
Throughout high school, there are a lot of hard times, and the most important thing is to have fun, even when it looks like it won’t turn out well.
- “Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name.” – Ernest Hemingway
*If I could use one quote to summarize how I look at life, this would be it.*
To finish up my reflection quotes, I chose one quote that’s not from a movie, however this is a quote that I live by. I was always taught that if you have nothing, you at least have your name, and you should always try your best to make sure that when people hear your name, they only thinkg good things.