Over the course of our young adult lives we, youth, have spent approximately 2,600 days in school. That's approximately 28% of our lives so far, "wasted" on learning.

I've spent the last thirteen years of my life in school and, to tell you the truth, I haven't enjoyed nearly all of it. There have been times when no matter how hard you try, there is no way anyone can get me out of bed, just because it's a school day. I've longed for weekends and holidays since the first day of classes. But you know what the worst part is? When I'm not in school, I miss it! All this time I've been looking forward to leaving school, and now that it's finally here, I'm disheartened.

I've realized that being in school has become a part of me. Of course, it's a part of my daily routine...waking up in the morning, washing up, eating breakfast, and then heading off to school...the same thing everyday for years. It's also impacted me in other ways. I've developed awesome friendships with classmates and teachers who I'll never forget, and who I never would have met without being in school.

But being in school isn't always sunshine...there has to be a little rain. I'll never forget that inevitable fall up the stairs on the first day of high school, or the time I barfed while singing "O Canada." Though those experiences may have been embarrassing at the time, I've learned to look back on them with fondness; it's all just a part of learning and growing up. And, without all the interesting adventures, school would have been boring.

Over the years I've also realized what it means to be successful. It has nothing to do with your grade point average, who you hang out with, or what kind of car you drive. It's all about who you've become, and whether you are happy with who that is.

So as I look back on my time at Garden Valley, I realize that what I'll remember most are the things they never intended to teach me. Sure, I've learned how to add, read, and solve for "x," but most importantly I've learned to live and to be me. George Savile, the first Marquis of Halifax, (1633-1695) says "Education is what remains when we have forgotten all that we have been taught." And that is what I think school is all about. It's not so much what you learn in class, as what you get out of class.