Congratulations, Class of 2013!

Four years ago, I transferred to the high school at which I currently teach. That year, I taught 9th and 10th grade English. Over the past few years, I've taught some combination of 9th and 10th grade. As a result, I've built relationships with many of this year's graduating class. Some of the students I taught for both 9th and 10th grades. One of the students also aided for me this year, so he spent three years with me.

Thanks to them, I've had a jumprope made out of my paperclips, watched a classroom full of bookbags get "nuggeted," learned a whole host of new words, watched some of the funniest pet peeve speeches, worked with a classroom of 26 boys and 3 girls, and truly understood why I became a teacher. My world, as loud and crazy as it gets being filled with so many teenagers, makes sense because of the kids I teach.

I love this group of kids, and they make me feel so proud to know them, watch them grow, and be a part of their lives. This world, my world, is a better place with them in it. Since they were freshmen, I've wanted to pull my hair out because of them, smack them upside the head, clap for them, fight for them, laugh with them, cry with them, and now I just want to shake their hands and hug them, thanking them for becoming such beautiful people who will set this world on fire (unfortunately, some might do it literally...accidentally.)

Here's to you, graduates. I am ridiculously proud of and humbled by your awesomeness.

Oh, and this fun outfit is dedicated to you guys.

The dress is old, the necklace was a gift, the shoes are Calvin Klein via DSW (bought one year ago), and the belt is Forever 21. Regardless of its cuteness, I still experienced the worst case of inner thigh sweat, something you didn't need to know, but now you can't unknow it. You're welcome.