Often, saying goodbye is one of the hardest things that someone can do. The idea of never seeing someone or something again is frightening to most of us, so we put them off for as long as we possibly can. Then, when the time comes to actually say it, we become emotional wrecks. But the thing is, I don’t particularly feel that way when it comes to saying goodbye to high school, or saying goodbye to anything in general.

That’s not to say that I haven’t enjoyed high school in the four years that I attended it.  Quite the contrary. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. But what I can say? I’m certain that I won’t exactly miss it. High school is a weird thing that we all have to experience and make a decision of how we view it ourselves. Personally, I think that my time in high school has come to a close in a way that is both satisfying and a bit regretful. When I think back of what I’ve done in high school, I’m flooded with memories that I’ll always cherish forever and, similarly, memories that will probably haunt me. Memories such as my first day attending school at Horizon my sophomore year, where I was a recluse who found solace in keeping my distance from others and blocking out anyone who attempted to talk to me with loud music, to attending my very first year of Journalism with Mrs. Britt, which I then went off to continue in for three more years and formed some of the best friendships and memories that a guy could ask for. (I am pretty great, aren’t I? 😉 )

High school has been a strange experience for me, one that I’m sure I will look back upon in later years and think, “Wow, you had it pretty good, kid.” But, as I said, I don’t think it will be something that I will miss, exactly. With college and new experiences looming just beyond the horizon (heh), I’m excited to see what the rest of the world has for me as I leave the embrace of Horizon and move on to bigger and better things.

The leadership position that I am leaving in Journalism as the Head of Media is something that I will certainly miss, as Journalism is something that digs itself deep into your heart until you wonder “How could I have gone through high school not experiencing this?” From the bonds formed with other team members, to the various inside jokes, I’ve often considered Journalism, and Mrs. Britt, to be my high school savior, to some degree. It is a class that I’ve come to love, not only because of the people that I’ve had the honor of working with, but because it is a large part of what changed me from being the sour kid who “sits there with headphones on and reads Stephen King books” to a more outgoing, positive, and overall independent individual. I’m confident that I am leaving my job in very capable hands, who will only work to raise what I have started to even greater heights.

But, as the title of this goes, I feel that goodbyes don’t mean much when it comes to us Horizon kids. As much as we say that we are glad that we’re leaving and that we are never coming back, we know that we ultimately will be back at some point. The teachers, the students, and everything about Horizon forces us to come back at some point. So don’t let these goodbyes make you weak, be confident that we will return at some point, because we will. Goodbyes aren’t the end of the line, they are simply a postponement of each other’s company. I’m confident that I will one day make the pilgrimage back to Horizon to see all my favorite teachers and check in of how the newspaper is doing.

So, I bid my farewell to the students, the teachers, and everything else that makes up Horizon. Don’t mourn over the loss of the seniors, don’t have regrets about what you have done in your high school career, and most importantly, look forward to hearing the accomplishments of those seniors. I am a part of a truly gifted class and I can only foresee the absolute best for all of my peers. So once again, goodbye Horizon. Thank you for all that you have done for me

Devin Jones