When someone is mean to you, you're often told "they're just jealous." I had never believed that until Monday after school, when Juliana and I were walking through the halls in our Pollack clothes, covered in paint. We got so many looks, ranging from confusion, to anger, to disgust (with no attempt to be hidden), to excitement, to jealousy. But the more negative looks we got, the more I laughed. I thought "fuck you, we had fun doing what we love for three periods and you sat in math." How can they not be jealous of us?
There is so much to be jealous of. STAC is not just a class that we attend for a grade. We are there because we want to be there. Luke does not treat us like high school kids, he treats us in a way that prepares us for real life. We get to discuss art and the world and ourselves in a mature way that many others can not. And we get to build amazing relationships we can't find out of STAC.
People ask me who my friends in school are, and I pretty much say STAC (plus Haley and Regina.) This isn't because we're a clique or a cult or we're not allowed to have friends outside of STAC. It's because we really are some of the best people Herricks has to offer. We are the smartest, most creative, most caring.
You guys all mean so much to me. As you all know, this year wasn't easy for me. Like I said in class today, I could not have asked for a more understanding group of people. Thank you for your compassion and caring, and thank you for not treating me any differently when I got back, something that means so much to me. What really makes me love this group is knowing that if I really needed someone, I could go to any one of you, even someone I'm not that close with, and they would be there for me, and knowing I'd do the same for anyone in STAC.
This was my second year in STAC, and I really don't know how I got through the first two years without it. I can't imagine a day where I couldn't remind myself it was only a few more hours until I was removed from idiocy and surrounded by intelligence. This year I was surrounded by more than intelligence when I walked into STAC- I was surrounded by love. You guys see things in me that I don't see in myself. You push me to push myself. You inspire me to be a better person. STAC made my high school experience something more than classes and drama. It made it something that no one outside of STAC will understand, but it created an amazing feeling. This year gave me an amazing feeling I didn't have last year. I don't know how we all got so lucky as to really clique, but we did.
The quote Luke read in class on friday was what finally made me start crying. I'd all but given up on working towards a career in something I want to do (whatever the fuck that may be.) The quote made me think that maybe I am here to create something. I will work towards finding what that is in college, no matter what it takes.
Lastly, I want to thank Luke for all his hard work. I can't put into words all that he has done for me, and for all of us. He pushed us, told us things we didn't want to hear, didn't give up on us, and so much more. Thank you.
I love you all, you beautiful freaks<3
