By Jeff Arnold

I never thought this day would come. I never thought my time here would end. I never thought I’d have to say goodbye. A lot of people here say they hate it, but I don’t. I think WHS is misunderstood.

In my four years here I’ve loved it and I’ve hated it, but I guess that’s normal. I’m a country music fan so often times I find myself listening to songs that glorify high school and your hometown. For so long I didn’t understand that. I couldn’t wait for the day that I could finally leave, but now that it’s close, I wish I could go back. All of those songs are starting to make sense. My path never followed those songs. I didn’t drink, smoke, go to Homecoming, or play football, but I now understand that these still may have been some of the best days of my life. The friendships I’ve formed, the memories I’ve made, and the changes that I’ve undergone are special and I have this school to thank for that.

There are people I’ve met here that I owe so much to and they will never know it. Rota will never know how much I hated him for my first two years of playing on the golf team, but then again, he’ll never know how much his tough love changed who I am as a competitor and how much I enjoyed having him as a coach. My days of competitive golf are likely over, but the lessons he inadvertently taught me will never be forgotten.

My teammates throughout my four years on the golf team will never know how much they did for me. I know that at times I was too focused on my own accomplishments, but they supported me through every step of my career. I’m proud to say I played for John, Mike, Nic, Sam, Jack, and the other Sam, and I’m equally proud to have led such an incredible group this past season. This year’s team will never know how impressed I was by their fight every single match. They will never know how much I enjoyed spending my last season as their captain. If I could pass on one piece of advice to them it would be to never stop fighting and savor every moment you have on that team. You will miss it.

Mrs. Stoker will never know the full impact she had on me. She’ll never know how she helped me find direction when I felt lost. If there’s anything I hope to take away from my time here, it is how to care and be compassionate, even if it is not returned, and that was taught by Mrs. Stoker. I owe my love of writing to her. Never before had anyone given me the freedom to write what I want, she changed that. I found my voice with her class. She gave me the courage to perform and put myself out there as a singer and songwriter. Four years ago I could never have imagined performing for kids in my school, but here I am. Three listening lunches, two coffee house performances, and about 100 songs later, I have a dream. Without her, I don’t.

My friends have been with me through everything. Matt, Isaac, Andre, Kaylie, Lurier, and Dan will always have my back and I will always have theirs. There is so much I could say for the bonds we’ve formed, but the simplest thing is “thank you.” Carly has become one of my best friends, closest confidant, and my biggest fan. She will never know how much she changed me. I am a product of the people around me and in these past two years, no one has shaped me as much as her. If it wasn’t for you, I would never have met her and discovered how incredible she is. Thank you.

As seniors we are encouraged to reflect on our time here and relay some parting words of wisdom to incoming students. If I were to do that I would keep it simple. I would tell them to be positive and embrace the struggles that are essential to high school. This is not going to be easy but it never was supposed to be. Understand that the difficulties that are essential to being a high schooler are completely normal and are there for a reason. More than anything though, don’t try to do this alone. It is impossible. You do this with the love and support of your family and  friends. The guidance of your teachers and classmates.  And the leadership of coaches and teammates. Embrace those people and what they have to tell you.

So goodbye, Westborough High School. Thank you for. I owe you so much. In the words of Luke Combs, “I’ve been knocked down time and time again. I got picked back up by luck and a few good friends who reminded me of all I stood to lose. So this one’s for you.”