By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

Martina Paulk has written the following entitled: The Last Page of the Biggest Chapter in my Life (Yet).

As my senior year of high school comes to an end, I’m caught up in a storm of emotions. I couldn’t be more excited that the day I’ve waited on for thirteen years is almost here, but I’m also terrified that a routine I’ve had for more than half of my life is coming to an end.

All I’ve known since I was five years old is getting out of bed, getting dressed, and heading off to school. Everyone told me senior year would fly by and I didn’t believe them.

I thought, “Okay, I’ll just enjoy the days instead of wishing them away, but there’s no way it’ll go by that fast.”

It feels like yesterday I was getting ready for my first day of senior year, curling my hair, making sure my eyeliner was perfect and thinking “This is it! Finally the last first day!”

Then, I blinked and before I knew it was already April and spring break was over. I’m faced with the reality that my life is truly about to begin.

I’m getting certified in Phlebotomy at Jefferson State and then I’m off into the real world of bills, taxes and all of the other many responsibilities.

I’ve realized that after this I’m no longer a child and my parents can’t do or fix everything for me. I’m responsible for handling my own life and making sure that I take advantage of every opportunity I’m blessed enough to be given.

As scary as this is, a part of me can’t wait for this new world of responsibility and challenges.

To the Class of 2016— “Congratulations, We’ve made it!”

As sad as I am to see this chapter in my life come to a close, I’m ready to turn the page on a new chapter. I can’t thank my parents enough for constantly supporting me—even on the long nights they stayed up with me finishing the last homework problem or helping on the project I procrastinated doing.

I thank the teachers at all the Helena schools for pushing me to be my best and giving me the motivation to keep going, and the city of Helena for being the place that I’ve called home for sixteen years.