Graduation is a time for reflection

I could sit here and write about politics this week since there seems to be a lot going on, but I just really don’t enjoy diving into that. And who wants to really and truly read about it? Not me.

So I am going to talk about graduation and the festivities instead, because frankly that is just more fun.

This past week I attended the Cheney High School commencement because my younger brother was graduating. Of all the ceremonies I have gone to, I do have to give credit to CHS on getting everyone in and out in less than two hours. I decided to count how long it took to give out the diplomas to every student in attendance, and it took around half an hour. That is pretty impressive.

There were also some good speeches that were written by the students. I have to give them kudos because I do not think I could ever stand in front of everyone like that and give a speech. They sounded very well-rehearsed and had some good things to say to the crowd of friends and families.

But in our house, graduation festivities are not done just yet. Somehow my brother and I planned it well enough that he walks the stage for his high school diploma and a week later, I receive my four-year degree from Eastern Washington University.

You’re welcome, parents.

In less than a week, I will be completing my ultimate goal of finishing my undergraduate degree a year early and I literally cannot wait for it to happen. The crazy part is that I know this is just the beginning, but it has been a work in progress for a long time now.

In just over a month, I will be making my voyage to Knoxville, Tenn., to attend sports management graduate school at the University of Tennessee. This embarks on a whole new adventure as I move across the country to go to my dream school. It is just crazy how time flies by.

Anyways, I think graduations are always a fun way to celebrate your accomplishments and I have really enjoyed being a part of it last week for my former high school and I look even more forward to see what those kids will do in the world.

Even though my time is coming to an end at Eastern Washington, I will always be an “Eag for life” and I will still be proudly representing EWU down in the south. Eastern has brought me so many opportunities that I never thought were possible and I will forever be grateful for my time here.

That goes the same for being at Cheney High School as well because if it wasn’t for the school letting me know about the Running Start program over at Eastern, I would still have another year left of my undergraduate degree to finish and let’s just say I am pretty focused on getting that diploma earlier than four years.

As I head into my future, I will never forget the opportunities and memories I have from Cheney. And I am positive this won’t be my final goodbye to the area.

I mean my parents will be empty nesters by September, so somebody needs to come back and give them some company.

Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.