A Note to Rising Seniors

A few weeks ago, I gave a speech version of this post in person at Wilson Hill Academy’s LINK. I hope that this rising senior blessing will provide encouragement not only for the high school class of 2026, but also to anyone who will be in high school this year. Following is the written version of my oration.  

Sitting down to write this blessing, I had so many thoughts running through my head. I feel like I have learned a lot this year, and I wanted to be able to pass some of that wisdom onto the next class of seniors. But organizing those thoughts was a lot harder than I originally assumed. I realized that in the short time and space I have here, I need to be intentional with the words I use, the theme I choose, and the message I get across.  

And that led me to think that maybe that is the theme: intentionality. Senior year might be hard, and you probably will face struggles. After all, every year has difficulties of its own. But through remaining intentional in everything you do, whether it’s your schoolwork, your time with family, your friendships, or your relationship with God, you will find beauty and success this year.  

Schoolwork 

Most of you reading this have probably heard of senioritis. It’s a fairly common topic in circles of high school upperclassmen, and it’s something you might find yourself tending toward this year. But when this feeling comes, you have two options: you can either give in, or you can continue to pour 100% of your effort into everything you do, remaining diligent throughout your classes.  

I exhort you to choose this second option, for this is the option that will ultimately help you to grow into a lifelong learner. If you persist in being intentional in your work, you will reap the reward. When everyone else is concerned simply about graduating or being accepted into college, you will be concerned with a full and intentional education that results in truth, goodness, and beauty.  

Family 

However, make sure that even as you are diligent in your studies, you do not forget your family. For many rising seniors, this will be your last year at home, so it is important that you remain intentional in loving and spending time with your parents and siblings.  

So, when the time comes (and it will) that your brother begs you for the fifth time in a day to play with him, it’s probably a good idea to take a break from studying and invest in your family relationships. For it is your family that will ultimately help you and stick with you through the good and bad times.  

Friends 

However, family is not the only support you will need this year. You will also need to be intentional in building your community.  

Jane Austen once said,

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.”  

This quote exemplifies how we should treat our friendships. We cannot love our brothers and sisters in Christ halfheartedly; rather we must love them fully and intentionally, encouraging them in their walks with God.  

I have found that remaining intentional in my friendships has been one of the most important and beautiful parts of senior year, as I have been able to not only strengthen old friendships, but also see new ones blossom. And I know that sometimes it can be hard to make friends online. But when you are intentional in seeking out God-fearing people, you will find incredible relationships whether it be with someone in your state, your country, or halfway around the world. 

God 

School, family, and friends are beautiful parts of senior year, but the most important part is to not neglect your relationship with God.  

One of my favorite ways to remain intentional in spending time with God was to have a Bible study with some of my friends from Wilson Hill. A few years ago, as I mentioned in this post, I simply asked in a group chat whether anyone would be interested in joining a Bible study. That interest turned into weekly Zoom meetings, prayers together, and diving deep into the Bible.  

You can start something similar too, and it only requires a little bit of courage. Search out people who are willing to participate, whether or not they be your closest friends. Maybe it’s someone in your class that you don’t know very well, but who might have a similar passion as you. Together, decide on a book of the Bible and a time to meet, and enjoy time in fellowship discussing the word of God.  

My Bible study has helped me to not only invest in deep relationships and gain some of my closest friends, but it has also helped me to remain intentional in my growth as a Christian.  

In Conclusion 

Philippians 4:8 says,

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

This verse reminds us that we need to be intentional in all that we do, in everything we say and think, and focus our minds on what really matters. As you do this, you will find that God uses all moments, whether they be of crying or rejoicing, to bring beauty to your life. And with that beauty will come truth and goodness, as these three transcendentals are usually inseparable.  

I know that God will use every single event of this next year to shape each of you in the young man or woman that He wants you to be. I can confidently say writing this right now that I am not the same person as I was when I wrote this post last year (which was about this same time of year). But that only happened because with God’s help, I have been able to remain intentional throughout my senior year.  

So be diligent in your studies, love your family, build your community, and remain steadfast in your faith. Rising seniors, take on the charge of leading your younger classmates, siblings, teammates, and friends with intention, purpose, and panache, and always strive for truth, goodness, and beauty in all you do, whether it be academic or not.