By Ryan Gierhahn ‘23
Senior year, the final chapter of my high school journey, has gone by in the blink of an eye. It has given me memories and people I will cherish forever, and I can’t help but long to relive it all over again. I’m so fortunate to have had the experiences I did throughout my high school career to prepare me for what’s to come in the future.
These four years have been nothing short of what I expected when I came to Brother Rice. From my first day of freshman year to the bittersweet last week of senior year, every moment has been filled with growth, excitement, brotherhood, and of course, fun. As I look back on these moments I can’t help but think, “where did all the time go?” It seemed to slip through my fingers, and has left me with a desire to make the most out of all the opportunities high school has left to offer.
Among all the highlights from my high school years, my basketball career stands out as one of the most memorable things I’ve been a part of. Through wins and losses, sweat and tears, I developed bonds with my teammates that I didn’t even think were possible. Being with these guys every day for years straight allowed them to become more than just teammates to me; they became my brothers and people that I could trust both on and off the court.
Playing basketball throughout high school gave me the chance to be involved in some of the most thrilling moments imaginable and taught me many valuable lessons as well. It may have been frustrating at the moment, but the challenges we faced as a team only made us better and strengthened the bonds we made. The hard work, discipline, and teamwork needed to succeed in basketball is something I can apply to all aspects of my life, and I’m grateful to have that in me.
As the days start to trickle down, the urge to reminisce about all the good times I’ve had starts to become heavier. I’m starting to find myself wishing I could go back and experience those moments just one more time. From getting butterflies in my stomach before games, or simply just enjoying a regular lunch with my friends, I can proudly say these times have shaped me into who I am today.
My final year of high school, mixed with my love of basketball, has been an incredible chapter of my life. The years went by in the blink of an eye, but I know that the relationships, lessons, and memories that I’ve made will not. Although I’m filled with a sense of numbness and nostalgia, I move into the next step of my journey with confidence because I know what I learned at Brother Rice has prepared me.
