2016, the year of peace and chaos,

had an election full of hate and bias.

With the battle in Syria and on United States ground,

it impacted me with a change so loud

that these events of distrust and hatred

has made my personal views important and sacred.

I decided to listen to different types of news

to develop my own opinions and ideas that I choose.

For my fellow citizens, I felt sympathy and sadness

as they experienced this unbelievable madness.

I looked inside myself and discovered who I truly am.

 

A person of silent confidence

and outspoken thoughts. Evidence

from last year’s silence

developed through years of a perfected science.

This year, I focused on becoming a leader

in morals and life; to fight against a fellow cheater.

I become a person of decisions and choices

to go against all of the negative voices.

 

A graduating 2017 senior

I officially am no longer a junior.

The planning and searching for colleges and scholarships

is time consuming; along with my friendships.

I realized all that I had to do and it was overwhelming.

I finally became conscience of my career field;

backstage theater, the only thing that can break my silent shield.

I am now basing my choices and decisions

as my future is now my only vision.

My college that I have selected

Will change my life and how I am affected.

I am now looking ahead for my opportunities

but I am also looking back at my parents.

 

They have raised my three sisters and I

with the values that they live by.

But with all of us going to college at the same time, this

has left me with a feeling not of bliss,

but a different emotion; dread.

Since September, each of them have spent time in a hospital bed.

My dad with his heart and my mom with her feet,

my senior year has taken a backseat

as far as they will allow it (which is not very far).

Their health has driven my life like a car.

It has steered me to focus on family

and friends. It was necessary to become stronger

and more self-independent. It became harder

to negatively impact me. I was able to separate school

from home. But with all of the concerns at home,

my own strength and perseverance has come.

 

I am no longer dreading the future and excited

for the past to come with me. My life has been sighted

through the ups and down of this year.

I am taking the changes with me from this year

and bringing them on my next adventure.

2016, a year of change and development.