Image by Purbalite staff

Purbalite seniors evaluate their four years of high school at Baldwin.

As I look back on my high school journey, I see that there’s one classroom that’s made more of an impact on me than any other: the preschool classroom.

When I first signed up for the preschool program, I knew I loved kids. What I didn’t know was how deeply this program would shape who I am and who I want to become.

From the very first day, walking into that preschool room became the best part of my school day. It was a space full of laughter, learning, and the purest kind of joy, and it lightened my mood instantly. All of my worries about my future plans after graduation went away the second I stepped into the classroom.

Working with the kids taught me more than just how to lead circle time or plan activities. It taught me patience, compassion, and what it means to truly connect with others.

Over this school year, I have watched the kids grow up in so many ways, reaching milestones right in front of my eyes. But as I watched the kids grow, I also saw myself grow. This class has made my heart softer and my smile bigger.

The preschool program has been more than an elective or a fun class. It helped me find my purpose.

It’s where I discovered that helping and nurturing others is what makes me feel most alive. This program is what sparked my dream of becoming a pediatric nurse. I want to keep working with kids, keep helping them grow and thrive, and keep being a caring presence they can count on.

As I prepare to leave high school and step into the next chapter of my life, I’m taking everything I learned from this experience with me – the memories, the lessons, the love, and most importantly, the passion for making a difference in the lives of children. I am beyond grateful for the preschool program and for every little hand I’ve held along the way.

If I could go back and tell my freshman self one thing, It would be this: Your favorite part of high school won’t be the big events. It’ll be the simple moments spent reading Pigeon books to your child in the hallway. And that will be more than enough.