Freshman year always begins with nerves, new hallways, and a lot of unknowns. Senior year ends with confidence, memories, and the realization that time moved faster than anyone anticipated.
For Heaven Thurman, freshman year nerves looked a little bit different. She doesn’t remember much about the start of the day, but she does remember worrying she’d miss the bus after school because she couldn’t drive yet. High school felt huge and overwhelming at first. “I thought it would be super scary,” She said, even joking that she imagined eating lunch alone in the bathroom. But she wasn’t alone; she had some upperclassmen friends who made the transition easier.
Now, as a senior, the nerves are replaced with excitement. “I’m feeling great, and I’m excited for my new college adventures,” she shared. And her biggest difference? “Also, driving is awesome.”
When asked what activity meant the most to her by senior year, Heaven didn’t even hesitate: Theatre. She’ll miss the late nights, the people, and the “family” they created. The adrenaline of sitting backstage before opening night is something she says is hard to explain. “I can’t believe I don’t have one more.” 
For Wyatt Cannon, the memories that stand out the most for him are the ones from track meets. Spending time with close friends and making memories that wouldn’t have happened otherwise made the biggest impact. He shared that his first football game wasn’t exactly life-changing. He hadn’t started playing yet and described it as “kinda boring.” But growth showed up for him in a different way. If freshman-year-Wyatt could see him now? “He’d say I have a lot more friends. I moved here freshman year, so I didn’t know anybody. But now I especially have Cove.” He shared.
For senior Macy Saunders, her first day was filled with anxiety. She remembers being nervous about doing the first day assembly with the Student Council and worrying that upperclassmen would judge her outfit. “I thought they were DEFINITELY going to make fun of me,” She said. But that same year, she auditioned for her first-ever musical, and something shifted. She found her place.
Fast forward to her last first day of senior year, and Macy was once again standing in front of the whole school at an assembly, but this time as Student Body President. “I was still uncomfortable with what I was wearing,” she admitted, “but I wasn’t nervous.” After years of assemblies and performances, she had grown into the leader she once would’ve been intimidated by.
And finally, for Emily Brewer, high school for her started with tennis and it quickly became so much more than just a sport. “It gave me something to look forward to every day, especially since it was the beginning of the school year and I was still getting used to high school,” she shared. What began as her first activity turned into lifelong friendships and memories that she said she’ll carry with her forever. She also credits Mr.Mueller, who “was constantly there for me from the beginning whether I needed advice or was just upset…he was on stand-by.” Through every season, tennis didn’t just mark her start, it stayed important throughout her whole PHS journey.
As senior year brings its final moments, her hardest last will be “100% my last Trojan Time with Student Council.” The people in that room, especially Boyd and Silvey, “have made such a big impact on me and have made my life so much better. It’s gonna feel weird not walking into a StuCo for the frist time since middle school.” From her first serve to her final StuCo meeting, Emily’s journey has been defined by the people who always showed up for her, whether it be in the court or in the classroom.
From worrying about outfits, tennis matches, or bus rides to leading assemblies, driving to school, performing under stage lights, and building lifelong friendships, senior year is looking very different from freshman year for everyone. The “firsts” may have been uncertain for most, but the “lasts” are filled with confidence, gratitude, yet a little bit of sadness. One thing stays clear through, the memories that were made at Potosi High will last far beyond graduation.
