Cheering Narrative

I felt as if I was ,in a sense, finally measuring up to my peers. Once I sat back down, I started to enjoy the ceremony more. I observed as the number ten group received their award for having over 1,000 hours of community service, the group eleven, then group twelve and so on. Patiently, I awaited for Mr. Bravo to hold up the twenty one in order to receive my last award. When he finally did, I stood up and began to walk toward the stage’s stairs, but I noticed that I was the only one there. The times I went up before, I could hear the sound of chairs folding up and students chattering as they walk to get in line. But not this time. All you could here were the clicks of my heels. I began to feel even more nervous now. I had absolutely no clue what the award was for. Why was I the only one here. “Is it a special award? Did I read the number wrong? Was I in line for the wrong number?” My mind began to overflow with these questions. This time my principle began with “Our next award is being presented to a special student whom the counseling staff has chosen as this years Champion of Character for her extraordinary high school growth.” She then continued with “Congratulations to Ms. Leslie Ruiz.” I proceeded to walk on stage and receive my award. I was very nervous as I stood on stage alone, but I also felt very honored and ecstatic to receive such a special award. From a distance I could see my parents and my boyfriend as they

It's 3:30 in the morning on a Saturday and I’m awake. I get up and head to the bathroom to get ready for the big day. Today is Arcadia and it's the very last field show I will ever march with some of my best friends. I can’t wait to see them. It’s 4:45am and I’m in the band room half awake but overly excited for the long day ahead. Andrew, Becky, Matthew and I ride together on the way to Arcadia high school to get ready to perform our field show, “The Final Chapter” later on tonight. Once we get there we meet up with the others to go watch the day bands perform and to buy food and pins. It's our last Arcadia. The time finally comes for the Riverside Kingsmen to take the field, all I can do to remain calm is think through my drill and my music we’ve got one shot let's make it count. Before I know it we’re done and I have performed the last field show I will ever be apart of, but that's not a scary thing it's an exciting moment because I played my heart out and and hit every flank like a boss! We’re off to get our scores and see who won Sweepstakes, they announce third, then, second, then first, then Sweeps...we did it! We won sweepstakes and ended our last year with a bang! My friends and I are celebrating, laughing, crying and taking it all in. Weeeee just did it together! We eat, load up and are on the bus ride home, everyone is either playing games and talking or asleep. It's 2 am and i’m finally home and in bed

I proceeded to walk down the aisle slowly becoming aware of the acrobats doing summersaults in my stomach. With such great prestige I heard the announcer’s voice, “Gerdwine Bourdeau.” Still in displacement of what had just occurred, rivers of joy rushed down my face. In quick pursuit, I shook President Welsh’s hand, turned my cheek and gleamed a smile towards the camera. In an instant flash the proudest moment of my life quickly became a realization. As of August 2016 I would be a graduate student of East Stroudsburg University. All the tears of joy and stressful nights would eventually become memories I tap into over lunch with a group of alumni friends. The ceremony quickly came to an end. Myself as well as hundreds of students rushed in search of their families. I had become overwhelmed in the confusion to only hear a lonely voice over the crowd shout in creole “Gerdwine, Gerdwine!” Moments later I stood in front of my first love, my parents. They gazed with admiration and joy, as I stared into their eyes and seen hard working immigrants from Haiti. Raising seven children wasn’t always easy, they worked day in and day out hiking 12 flights of stairs in a Brooklyn apartment building. All to make sure their children received an education that they were unable to obtain.

“Cheer Hard” Ever since I was in the seventh grade, I have been a cheerleader. Towards the end of my ninth grade year in highschool, the annual announcement of cheerleading tryouts is said over the intercom. Like I always have, I sign up. My friends and I practiced every day for

It's May 19, 2017, the day every senior waits for, the last day. As I walk to my seat,everyone cheers because they believe I'll do something great after this moment.

Standing on the stage, everyone sitting down to watch below me, shaking but confident, the fear taking over my mind and emotions. 8th grade graduation, biggest day of my life so far, I was going to remember it. I'm watching my fellow 8th grade students getting called up, being recognized

This year, for the first time in my life, I was not at school on the first day. My friends and classmates, the people I'd been studying with for the past three years, all went to their first period classes and sat down. They were probably excited and ready, had probably

The night of graduation we all lined up the same way we did at practice, ABC order, as I walked out I felt so rewarded that I was able to make it to my high school graduation. We all sat in a huge gym surrounded by our loves ones, Black and gold caps and gowns filled the room. I waited anxiously for my name to be called; with my last name starting with a W I was pretty much at the end. I walked up and across the stage, shook their hand as I received my diploma and smiled for a picture. As I walked back to my seat I feel my eyes start to water because I felt so proud of myself that I made it to this point after years of hard work. I look around once I’m seated and see how happy everyone is. Next year everyone will be going their separate ways, starting college and making new friends. The ceremony ends with a bunch of smiles, some tears and caps being thrown up in the air while everyone is clapping for

High School Graduation Day Many people have experienced the over whelming excitement that you feel as you approach high school graduation day, and for me, that’s a day that I will never forget. The amount of emotions that you feel on graduation day is unbelievable, and I have yet to experience anything else like it. I can remember feeling anxious to celebrate the big day with my friends and family, while at the same time I was panicking thinking about having to walk across the stage in front of that many people. Then, the more I thought about the reality of graduation day, I started to get curious, but nervous, about being able to start a new chapter in my life once graduation day had passed. There are several reasons why I, still

Graduation time is time of farewell, we began to realize that we enjoyed math and chemistry classes, the cafeteria food and fun talks in recess. I always knew that remembering the tears would make me laugh, but never had I imagined that remembering the laughs would make me cry. Thank you for sharing with me your charming smiles, your tender hearts, your games and dreams, I will always keep your laughter, your sweet “I love you”s and tears. Let me, in front of this illustrious audience, bid farewell to you, and remind you that there is a partner and a friend who loves you. You all are an essential part of my life and no matter where destiny leads us; I always will be with

Graduation day arrived and I had butterflies out of this world. It seemed as if I misplaced everything. I could not find my dress. My family came from one state to another. I finally got to the church were the commencement was going to be held. I

Untitled My heart beats hard in my chest. I stand in the long line of students, waiting for my name to be called. Today is graduation, I’m going to get my diploma, finally free to go to college. I look around, trying to find my family in the crowd in front of the stage. I find them in the third row, my mother smiles and waves to me before she snaps the hundredth picture of me today. I roll my eyes at her, how many does she need to remember this day?

STUDENT DEBT — THE COBBLED JOURNEY THROUGH ADULT LIFE It is June 24th. The hallways are empty, the classrooms too, and all you hear in this university building is the calming buzz of an AC. But then the combination of cheering, chattering and clapping comes from the amphitheatre outside… and something becomes painfully clear — a graduation ceremony is taking place.

Stepping upon a simple stage was the best thing I could have ever done. Overseeing the multitude that was there to witness my every word, every tremble, every emotion, and every heart beat, was then that I realized that the sentiment was real. It was essentially the end of time and I could not bear to hold back what I no intentions of doing. Cry. Tears of joy darted down my face as I walked across the stage and received my ultimate gift. With fancy inscription, my gift was entitled “Class of 2009”. I had just graduated.

Graduation is finally here. Parents and students are all starting to enter the graduation hall. The air is filled with joy and happiness, and the sounds of music and clapping are everywhere. Some parents are crying from happiness, and some are cheering with joy. My parents are doing both at the same time. My name finally appears on the big white screen at the front of the hall. It is my turn to receive my diploma. A rush of excitement overwhelms my heart, but, at the same time, I can’t help but feel nervous. My legs are