When the school year finishes, many different endings follow it. Grades are finalized, and all of the classes – the ones you loved and the ones you couldn’t wait to leave behind – are finally over. Most of the time, endings are bittersweet. Older friends move on with their lives without you, classmates move away, and you lose the class you had with your friend group and a great teacher. 

However, when one door closes, another one opens. For every person’s ending, there is a beginning for somebody else. As an incoming senior, I am in more positions of leadership than I have been in any other year of high school. While I am grateful for these opportunities, I worry that I will not be able to live up to all those who came before me. 

I remember looking up to seniors throughout my time as an underclassmen and trusting them completely due to their experience and the knowledge that comes with that. Now that I am in that position, I worry that I am uninformed or lack experience. How can I lead others to do something when I am unaware of every detail myself? 

The answer: you must try. You must try your hardest to be the leader you need to be. You can not afford to be complacent, and you must dedicate extra time and effort to reach the required level. You must ask for help when you need it and, in return, do your best to help those who ask you. Little things, like smiling and talking to the quiet, shy kids, makes a difference. 

In reality, you are in the same place that the people you looked up to were last year. While it might have seemed to you that they knew everything, they were really just trying to figure it out as well. Their confidence and passion for their activities is what really made them great role models. 

If they can do it, why can’t I? Why can’t you? Do not be daunted by the pressure or incompetence you may feel. Believe in yourself, and others will too.