Zita Gloria INEZA TETA, Grade 12
UWCEA Moshi Campus
Old town road by Lil Nas X is the song that made it all special and funny. The crying, the joy, the energy; it was all breathtaking. Seeing everyone happy but sad to say goodbye to friends, mentors, teammates but most importantly brothers and sisters. The graduating class of 2022 was a special one to many of us who got to know them and seeing them go was a very emotional moment to many of us.
As many other farewell events, the clap out event is always filled with a mix of emotions. From the singing of D2s happily putting an end to high school life and starting a new chapter of their journey, to the music students playing drums in a special farewell event. It is always a joy to see our elder sisters and brothers grow into the next step of their journey, each of them talking to us about their plans. Some take a gap year to travel around the world, others go into military service or to universities around the globe. Surely, the future is bright for all of them!
Saying goodbye to my D2s was special to me and a memory that I won’t forget. While for some people these were just students, they were sisters and closest friends to me. Watching them as I stand on the sideline clapping as they pass in the middle was a nostalgic moment. I was thinking of the bright future ahead of them but also the loneliness and emptiness that would come after they leave.
What made the event even more emotional for me is that all the Rwandese were leaving. Staying on campus as the only Rwandese scared me. I was scared to lose myself, forget my culture and language. But I was reassured by the fact that I knew they were going somewhere better, getting an education and working hard to be the best versions of themselves. My D2s were surely going to succeed no matter what.
Knowing that my D2s, who were some of my closest friends, were going to be okay appeased me in a way. It changed this event from a sad one, where everyone was crying and saying goodbyes, to a happy moment where everyone was wishing the graduating class of 2022 nothing but luck. The drums, the melody and the voices of people gathered around saying goodbyes to their friends is all I remember from that memorable day.
This event also made me think of how I am going to feel when my time comes. As a rising senior, I hope that my farewell event will be filled with nothing but happiness. I want my friends to rejoice in my success and the next step I am taking. I don’t want anyone to cry because I know I will keep in touch and that this will be one of the days I want to remember as the happiest of my life.
As I start my senior year, I hope that this UWCEA tradition stays for as many generations as possible. Maybe, one day, I will see one of my kids talking about their future plans or saying goodbyes to friends as they begin their next chapter in life.
As many other farewell events, the clap out event is always filled with a mix of emotions. From the singing of D2s happily putting an end to high school life and starting a new chapter of their journey, to the music students playing drums in a special farewell event. It is always a joy to see our elder sisters and brothers grow into the next step of their journey, each of them talking to us about their plans. Some take a gap year to travel around the world, others go into military service or to universities around the globe. Surely, the future is bright for all of them!
Saying goodbye to my D2s was special to me and a memory that I won’t forget. While for some people these were just students, they were sisters and closest friends to me. Watching them as I stand on the sideline clapping as they pass in the middle was a nostalgic moment. I was thinking of the bright future ahead of them but also the loneliness and emptiness that would come after they leave.
What made the event even more emotional for me is that all the Rwandese were leaving. Staying on campus as the only Rwandese scared me. I was scared to lose myself, forget my culture and language. But I was reassured by the fact that I knew they were going somewhere better, getting an education and working hard to be the best versions of themselves. My D2s were surely going to succeed no matter what.
Knowing that my D2s, who were some of my closest friends, were going to be okay appeased me in a way. It changed this event from a sad one, where everyone was crying and saying goodbyes, to a happy moment where everyone was wishing the graduating class of 2022 nothing but luck. The drums, the melody and the voices of people gathered around saying goodbyes to their friends is all I remember from that memorable day.
This event also made me think of how I am going to feel when my time comes. As a rising senior, I hope that my farewell event will be filled with nothing but happiness. I want my friends to rejoice in my success and the next step I am taking. I don’t want anyone to cry because I know I will keep in touch and that this will be one of the days I want to remember as the happiest of my life.
As I start my senior year, I hope that this UWCEA tradition stays for as many generations as possible. Maybe, one day, I will see one of my kids talking about their future plans or saying goodbyes to friends as they begin their next chapter in life.
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