29 days. There are only 29 days before the seniors will officially be able to be called graduates of Rosary Academy. With graduation just around the corner, I would like to reflect on some things, both meaningful and absolutely ridiculous, that have happened in my life over the past senior year. Let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster, to say the least.

Let’s start at the very beginning (which I have been told is a very good place to start).

August 16, 2021: The first day. Anticipation. Excitement. Wonder. Seniors woke up bright and early to watch the sunrise over Ralphs and then packed in cars to attend the first day. Graduation felt like it was years away. 285 days.

September 13, 2021: I found out I was going to be on homecoming court. Overjoyed and confused as to how the heck I got on court, I jumped up and down in room eight as Ms. La Bonte ’09 and Mrs. Huerta ’94 told me I was on court. I wished I could wear my tiara everywhere, including graduation. 257 days.

September 21, 2021: We were in the throws of volleyball season. Having won nearly all pre-season games, now, we had to face the rigorous competition of Trinity League play. As a captain, I had a blast being able to help lead the team to wins; until, while playing against OLu, an elbow flew and hit me in the nose (shoutout to Brooke Kizziar ’22). I had a black eye. My nose was fractured. At this point, I hoped my nose will be straight by graduation. 249 days.

September 24, 2021: A jampacked day to say the least. Swarms of seniors showed up to school dressed in Servite “pro-dress” for extra credit for Mrs. Ward. Royals dawned their alter egos of Servite boys as they paraded down the halls dapping each other up and having push-up contests. Flash forward to less than six hours later when I switched my friar uniform for a black dress and heels as I walked on the field for the homecoming game. Graduation was still seemingly miles away. 246 days.

September 25, 2021: Homecoming day! This day is, of course, a monumental day for every teenage girl. As it’s the first formal dance of the year, students put on their finest dresses and prepared to get down in Servite’s quad. This time, however, was extra special with the addition of a tiara. Wait, this was my last homecoming? 245 days.

October 8, 2021: Ah, yes. One of Rosary Academy’s most beloved traditions: Rosary Day. Of course, the day was spent celebrating the juniors, but seniors got to experience the Rosary-Disney day that we never had. On top of spending the day with friends, I got to meet Mr. Bevins’ child, Rylee, and my heart melted a little too much. Oh, graduation is a thing that exists? 232 days.

October 13, 2021: Senior night: the last season game I ever played dawning the Rosary uniform (excluding CIF playoffs, of course). This was the last time I ever played a match in the Karcher Center. This night filled with lots of love and support culminated in four years in the program. Oh right. I am a senior. This is one of the first of many lasts. 227 days.

December 3, 2021: Rising Above Disabilities winter formal. What started off as a way to host a dance for people who may not be able to go to a “typical” one, turned into one of the most memorable and rewarding nights of my life. I became very close with a girl named Julia. We danced, talked, ate, laughed, and sang together. Oh boy, we are almost at the end of the first semester, aren’t we? 176 days.

January 4-7, 2022: Kairos 61. While I cannot reflect much on this experience as it remains a secret to those who haven’t been on Kairos, this week was life-changing. Teachers are starting to remind me that we only have a semester left. 141 days.

January 28, 2022: RED AND GOLD KICKOFF! I’m not convinced it actually ever happened. It all feels like a dream As a member of white team, I got to experience the behind-the-scenes of Red and Gold, and kickoff was just the beginning of the six-week process. This is my last Red and Gold Kickoff. 120 days.

March 12-13, 2022: Flash forward six weeks to actual Red and Gold. Again, I am not convinced it actually happened. This weekend was the absolute best. I loved every second and tried to soak up my last moments ever in a Red and Gold. While I technically am a four-year loser (lost freshman year, canceled sophomore year, lost junior year, and didn’t win or lose this year), Red and Gold has been one of the most enriching events of my Rosary experience. We still have time left. Graduation is months away. 76 days.

March 22-25, 2022: Kairos 62. This time leading a group, I got to help my classmates on their faith journey. This Kairos was equally as influential, despite it not being my own Kairos. Friendships were formed, relationships were strengthened, and faith was fortified. Hold on. This is the spring Kairos. This is the last Kairos of the year. 64 days.

March 26, 2022: Now, for the most exciting time of the year: Spring Social. While typically an event for freshman and sophomores, my friends and I showed up in full force. With guy friends showing up in suits and pink shirts and my friends and me showing up in pink wigs for the pink-out theme, we made the most of one of our last casual dances. Wow, second to last casual dance. 63 days.

Graduation To-Do List:

April 30, 2022: MORP. The last casual dance of the year. My friends and I will again dress to impress. I guess you will just have to show up to see what we have planned. We are going into the last month of senior year. 28 days.

May 5-8: In case you missed it, the hills are very much alive with “The Sound of Music.” Starring as a nun and Frau Zeller, I will take on the stage for my final time. In case you haven’t bought tickets, please come out and see this fantastic show. If that’s not enough, I have one of the most important lines of the show, but shhhh…I don’t want to give anything away. Only less than a month left. 20 days.

May 15: Now, for the most quintessential high school experience: Prom. With the theme of Santorini Nights, I’m hoping this day will be a fantastic end to four (or, well, three-ish) years of dances. I cannot wait to dress up and hit the dance floor with my friends. It’s getting real now. 13 days.

May 26: Our last mass at Rosary Academy: Baccalaureate Mass. This will be the last mass the class of 2022 ever celebrates together. With family and friends all around us, we will prepare to leave the red and gold halls of Rosary Academy. The end is near. 1 day.

May 27: Graduation. This is it. Four years gone. Memories made. Tears shed. Laughter all around. It’s all over now. Wait, no. It is not. I refuse. The past four years have been everything I wanted and more. This is the first day of the rest of our lives.