One Senior’s Farewell to the Past Four Years

Purple and yellow streamers were flying through the air. The crowd was chanting the JMU fight song and our football team had just scored another victory. My friends and I were dancing up and down the bleachers to the band’s loud music. It was at that moment, four years ago, that I first fell in love with this school.
 
Since freshman year, JMU has felt like heaven on earth. The flawless campus that makes even the most overcast days seem beautiful. The blossoming flowers, the winding pathways, the flying Frisbees and bronzing bodies on a sunny day. The smiles on everyone’s faces as they stroll to class.
 
And then off campus—the delicious food, the beautiful views, the funky museums and drives through the Shenandoah Valley. These all became parts of my JMU tradition:
 
Mid-week margaritas every Wednesday at Dona Rosa. Top Dog grilled cheese on Thursdays. Clementine’s happy hour. Pitchers at Dave’s. Trying all the burgers at Jack Brown’s. Late night breakfasts at Festival. Advanced movie screenings at Grafton. Relay for Life. An NYC summer. Witnessing the end of Highlawn, and then The Pub. Israel. Ireland. Amsterdam. Dominican Republic. Tacky Christmas parties. Seeing Barack Obama one week before he was elected president. The Appalachian State victory. FROG 2K7.
 
The List goes on…
 
As graduation approaches, or should I say—looms ahead, I can only look back on my years here with content.
 
I have no regrets. I can honestly say that I have gone out there and met as many people, tasted as many dishes, seen as many views, smelled as many flowers, and gone out on as many weeknights as I possibly could have.
 
To those that still have time, make the most of your years here. Don’t waste a single second because it flies by. When you think you’ve seen all Harrisonburg has to offer, keep looking because you haven’t.
 
One week from Saturday I will wear the purple gown, and I will accept my diploma in front of the most important people in my life. But I’m not going to say farewell, or goodbye to JMU. I’m going to say, “I’ll see you later!”
 
Oh, and thanks to Mom and Dad for always supporting me financially, mentally, and emotionally.