I graduated from LeMars Community High School on May 19th, 2002. It was a hot day and the bright morning sun was out, beaming with pride. I was sprinting all over my house trying to get all of my things together before all my friends came. I was upstairs still getting ready, like always, when a couple of my friends walked in. I sat there and looked at them for a minute thinking how grown up they looked. Their red gowns were half way buttoned up as if saying we weren't ready for this yet, but the big smiles on their faces looked as if they could take on the world. I put a smile on my face to try and force back the tears that started to line up on the rim of my eyelids. We clenched each other in a big hug one by one. With every hug I could feel the same pride and support they've been giving me for the past four years. I turned my head away because the smile couldn't hold the tears any longer. I could feel the w

We all stepped out into the backyard for pictures. The warm breeze blew our hair back and but the fresh air felt like a new beginning. Stepping onto the green grass we all stood close with our arms around each other. Anticipation was instant with the click of the camera.

When we reached the school and nothing seemed out of the ordinary until I opened the door to see every one of my classmates dressed alike in their gowns with the same expression of happiness. I could feel a rock in my stomach as I stood in line among the very people I've seen every day of my life for the past twelve years. Thinking of something I knew about every one of them, I felt so proud to be with them at that moment. As the line diminished I could hear the graduation march being played by our school band. The crowd's coughs and talking became more and more clear. I was standing at the front of the line in the brick doorway where I was about to part from the rest of the group and be recognized for my accomplishments. Starring at the massive crowd I lost all train of thought, I started walking and all my senses seemed to disappear. I knew what to do from all the times we practiced this moment, but I couldn't hear the crowd or the music and all my fears vanished.

Our names were being called off one by one and as my classmates and friends made their way across the old stage I finally started to feel older. I realized this is an accomplishment I've been working for my whole life and I will never forget it. As my row stood up I slowly walked up the aisle making sure to stop at

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Approximate Word count = 1060
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)