Since my first days at Seven Locks Elementary School in the first grade, I have been destined to graduate from WCHS. Destined to take the same bus routes. Destined to be around the same peers. Destined to take (generally) the same classes. High school did bring some autonomy, but going to college means a whole new level of independence. My major. My career path. My class schedule. My entire education relies completely upon the choices, responsibilities and priorities that I create. I have gotten some practice before, but it is now my time to take full control of the wheel, which has definitely created feelings of uncertainty and doubt.
Being the middle child of five has meant living in an intricate familial dynamic. Mainly, I had the unique opportunity to be independent yet simultaneously dependent upon my family. Most of the time though, I have been the guy to take advice from my elders. That’s how I ended up taking Journalism in the first place.
My older sister, Fatima, reluctantly decided to enroll in Journalism at WCHS due to my mom’s persuasive words back when she was in the eighth grade. Funnily enough, Fatima ended up as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) and majoring and double-majoring in “Government and Politics” and “Journalism.” When it came time for me to sign up for my freshman year classes, I had my mom and my sister (who was a senior at the time) swaying me to also enroll in Journalism – which did not take much convincing.
Even though I did not have illustrious plans of becoming an EIC or a journalist, I trusted that journalism would be the fun, beneficial and unique experience that my sister promised. And I am glad that I did because she was right. The close friendships that I made. The team-working experiences that I have had. The hours spent in production. I do not regret any of it.
My older brother, Mahdi, was another great influence on me. Since the days that we would play soccer with each other and admire professionals like Ronaldinho and Neymar Jr., we have had the same joys and passions as each other. Just like my dad, Mahdi always kept me in check with reality and pushed me towards the right path. He knew which friends were going to be positive influences and which ones were going to be negative influences. Like Fatima, Mahdi also guided me in which high school classes to take and which ones to avoid. Not only my educational experience, but all my experiences in life have been much smoother because of the two, and for that, I am forever grateful.
On that note, I understand that I am extremely lucky. Most people do not have any siblings at all, let alone two, supportive, older siblings. But the point of the matter still stands; surrounding yourself around positive people with more varied experiences than you is priceless, and that is possible for everyone to find because it does not have to be through older siblings or even parents. I know I have had unforgettable influences throughout my life from grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and older friends. Whoever it may be, I would advise everyone to try to find that person — or those people.
Whether or not they can still help me at this point in my life, the people that I still keep close to me have set me up for success in my secondary education, in my future career and my destination in life. Taking control of my life and making my own decisions means that I will inevitably face difficulties along the way – just like any other senior – but it will also be exhilarating. One thing I know that I am going to continue to do is to always look for guidance from the people around me who have never stopped caring for me. If you have people in your life like that, I would advise you to do the same.
