Back when I was in 6th grade, my teacher talked about how my class was going to be graduating in 2015. At that time, 2015 seemed so far away. I believed that I'd never make it that far. I'm not a bad student; I just thought that something would happen before that time that would prevent us from graduating (the supposed "end of the world" scare back in 2012).

Last night changed that for me. I was waiting in the big gym of my school and scanning the crowd of navy blue robes of people I knew, and people I had never even met or seen around the school. We were all here for one purpose, and that was to walk across the stage and receive our diplomas.

I had already seen my other friends graduate on the 21st and 27th. I was the last of my little group. It hadn't hit me yet; I still couldn't wrap my head around the idea that I was next. That they and my family were here to see me get my named called, walk across that stage, shake hands with the board members and principal, and take a hold of the leather binding containing my diploma.

My friends were laughing and having a grand time around me, socializing with their other small groups they hang out with sometimes. We were all filled to the rim with excitement as we waited for the time for us to line up and make our grand entrance onto the football field. A few were nervous, the others unable to contain their emotions (though there were no tears, yet).

This all seemed like a dream to me. Yes, I was excited to know that I would never have to go to high school again, but everything seemed surreal.

Is this really happening?

Am I really about to walk across the stage?

I'm not dreaming, right?

This isn't a mass prank to be shown on national TV, right?

These thoughts raced through my head as the time grew closer for us to get ready for our time. The nerves didn't hit me until I got lined up against the wall of the gym with my partner. We had to walk in pairs in the long line. 400 students. 200 pairs. 1 night to remember forever.

I picked at my nails and fiddled with a tiny butterfly eraser. We were told by one of the teachers that we were to give these to our principal when we shake his hand. He always called us his Beautiful Butterflies because we grew into wonderful people and shaped the school throughout the 4 years we were there (3 for me, since I moved to the school during sophomore year).

"What if I drop it?" I whispered to myself as my gaze lingered on the eraser. I'd make a fool out of myself in front of thousands of people in our tiny, yet completely pack bleachers full of friends and family.

The time to enter the field came. I took a deep breath to calm myself (though I could feel the tears coming) and remembered what we did at the rehearsal at 6 in the morning.

After one last glance at my partner, I looked forward and silently counted to myself to make sure we would be in sync and on time as we walked with the class through the silent halls, outside, then out and around the bus drop-off to the back entrance of the football field. We all could hear the crowd of people as we exited the school building, giving us a slight taste of what we were walking into.

As I got closer, my eyes took in everything they could. Both bleachers were full and people were standing in any place they claimed as their own in the aisles, on the stairs, and on the main ground.

Parents and friends were already cheering when they caught sight of us stop and ready ourselves to walk between our teachers and under the blue and orange balloon arches leading to our seats. My nerves returned and my hands grew sweaty. I felt like crying tears of joy, yet I also felt like I was going to pass out from how knotted my stomach was with nerves.

I told myself that crying would have to wait (if it even happened at all).

Finally, after another 15 minutes of waiting for our cue, we were signaled to walk. The teachers applauded and reminded us to walk slow and to pause and count to 3 before the pair walked. This was so the camera could get each and everyone of us to show up on the double projector on both ends of the field.

Once we were all at our seats, the colors were presented and the National Anthem sung, we sat and the ceremony began. Our ceremony was a bit different than my friends. It started as any graduation would, thanking everyone for coming, introducing the board members, and letting the main one speak. The choir sang after our salutatorian said his speech, and the band played after the valedictorian said his.

Then our principal took the stage. I knew his speech was going to be long, since he's long winded already, but something about this speech was different. It was the way he held himself, how he spoke these meaningful, heartfelt words. He spoke about the accomplishments of the school, what we've done, and how we've grown into the people we are today.

And then he explained how we got to this point in our lives, the hardships we faced, and how we became who we are. How we rose above all in times of grief and misery.

As you may or may not have heard, depending on where you are, back in 2012 we had a terrible accident that took the life of one of our classmates. She was supposed to graduate this night. He spoke of how the entire school was in a state of depression over the loss of this beautiful girl's life. He had only been the principal for only a few shorts weeks when it happened, and he wasn't sure how to help comfort us.

The first week after the accident, social media blew up with our new phrase; just two words. These words helped us pick ourselves back up and rise above and remember who our classmate was. These words were created in her memory.

Bronco Strong (since our school mascot is the bronco).

These words were used all the time and in every place it seemed fit. Each announcement ended with "... and be Bronco Strong." It was used in social media as #BroncoStrong and was posted everywhere in the school.

He then talked about another accident that happened on Friday, and how that shook our school. Once more, our new words of empowerment helped us move on so that our classmate would know that we were thinking about him.

Our principal spoke for nearly 45 minutes, but it was well worth it.

Soon, the time came for our names to be called. Row by row, we had our names called, we shook hands with everyone, and gave our butterflies to our principal. The calling of the names took roughly another 45 minutes.

Then the moment came. The moment we were all waiting for. We moved our tassels from left to right (our school has a backwards tradition) then tossed our caps. The second I retrieved mine, I raced from my seat to my friend behind me and hugged the daylight out of her, screaming my head off and laughing the whole time, not caring that my cap fell off.

We had done it. We passed through a major milestone in our lives. We were ready to take on the world and help make it a better place, one bronco at a time.

After the ceremony, I met up with my family and my friends from other schools and had a small party with them, making sure to get as many pictures as possible.

I was surprised that I didn't cry. But the second my uncle hugged me and sniffed, I lost it. Tears streamed down both of our faces as we let it all sink in.

"I did it." I whispered into his ear. He couldn't speak at that moment, so he nodded instead.

"I'm so proud of you." He finally managed to say after a while.

This night, May 28th, 2015, will forever be ingrained into me. This night is the night I did something I thought wouldn't be attainable because of how far in the future it was. My many different encounters in high school shaped me to who I am and helped guide me to where I am today.

I never strayed from the path I took and I kept my gaze where I wanted it.

High school is an amazing place, even though I wanted to just go home on many occasions.

High school taught me many valuable lessons, but one sticks out to me. No matter how tough it may seem, it will eventually get better. Don't let people who want to see you fall get the better of you. Rise above them and prove to them that you are a strong individual who will not be brought down.

For those of you graduating/graduated, I wish you luck in the many promising years before you.

For those of you still in high school/entering, enjoy the ride, make lasting friendships, and keep your priorities straight. Only your ambitions and your actions will put you on the path you so desire.

From the proud member of the graduated class of 2015,

Renee Abbott of Poston Butte High School

(aka, menagerie12)