by Ashley Murphy

Those of you reading this that are in high school or have kids or grandkids in high school then you know that April and May are two of the busiest months for seniors. Just about every high school in the United States has a Junior/Senior Prom and here in Cleveland they are held in April and is the last big high school event that the seniors will get to participate in before the graduation activities begin and the graduation commences in May. This coming May will mark my five year graduation from Walker Valley High School. It doesn't seem that long ago and makes me realize how time flies by when you least expect it to. I can still remember prom and graduation nights clearly. They were, after all, two of the most memorable nights of my life.

Walker Valley's 2004 Junior/Senior Prom theme was "A Night In Hollywood." The tickets for the event were actually keychains made to look like clapperboards from movie productions and the table decorations were "movie reels" with confetti and balloons. Considering this was a high school prom, the entire room was elaborately decorated. There was a large projector screen above the DJ booth that played music videos and slideshows of pictures that had been put together of the seniors.

My dress is what made me feel like a Hollywood starlet that night. I can't say that it was the prettiest dress there that night, but it was the most gorgeous dress that I had ever worn. I can't really pinpoint the exact color, but it was along the lines of a light mint green, strapless, covered in beading and sequins, and had an open back.

I had thoughts about skipping what would be my last prom, but now I am so glad that I went. The whole night actually turned out better than I had originally thought it would.

Graduation was exciting, and maybe a bit scary, but it was definitely an interesting day. We were all in our caps and gowns then separated alphabetically by our class rank.

After we walked out onto the football field and took our seats the principal gave us a lecture about how this was a serious day and everyone needed to behave so that this could be a smooth process. Well, what would a high school graduation be without breaking a few rules? As soon as the principal sat down, the beach balls went up, three to be exact. Everyone's laughing and hitting them around, not worried about getting in trouble, but trying to have a good time.

Right before the names were to be called to walk up on stage and receive diplomas, the principal made another announcement, this time to the audience of family members and friends of the graduates. He asked that everyone hold off on all applause and conversations until after every name has been called so that everyone can be sure there name is heard. One by one the graduates names were called, with only minor applause here and there, nothing too disruptive.

I'm stepping up on stage, my name is called, then all of a sudden, "Woo-Hoo, go Ashley! Alright!" Being on stage in front of 1,000 or so people, this seemed like the loudest screaming and applause I had ever heard. I was so embarrassed that I completely passed up three people on stage who's hands I were supposed to shake!

I had to come back up the steps and shake their hands, disrupting the line. I felt my face go hot and I knew it had to be beet red, but what could I do? After walking off stage I burst out laughing and just shrugged my shoulders, then walked back to my seat, laughing hysterically the whole time. Even though I was slightly embarrassed (okay that's an understatement) I still wouldn't change that night for anything.

Just about everyone I know, myself included, could not wait to get out of high school and we just let time fly by without taking much notice. Now, I have only a handful of friends that I still see consistently that were in my graduating class. There have been several times that we've sat down and talked about high school days, graduation night in particular. I feel that if I had skipped my senior prom or any graduation activities, school related or not, that I would be here now regretting not participating in all the things that make up one's senior year of high school.

So, if you are in high school or know someone who is in high school, tell them to participate in school functions, enjoy all the time they have with their friends, appreciate the time they have now, and make it to graduation! Memories are all we have left of our past, so take pictures to help you remember all of those good times and the people you shared them with! Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

.