Something That Will Last Forever
By: Catalina Martínez Rodríguez 10B
Since the first day of school, we start being part of a community… however, we get used to spending 8 hours, 5 days a week inside the school facilities, while remaining unconscious of what a big deal it actually is to be a “Pacha”. At first, we think school is nothing but an obligation: homework, classes and spending time with classmates; our whole life we have always followed the same routine, so we take school for granted and think it will last forever. But the fact is, years pass by so fast that in a blink of an eye we are soon seniors ready to graduate and say goodbye to this huge part of our life that really marked us forever.
This meaningful event took place in the Coliseum three weeks ago. It included a powerful speech given by our Principal: Liliana Arango González, followed by some words by two seniors: Paula Molina Ruiz and Andrea Castillo. Then, the expected delivery of the Zarza, and finally some words and songs the tenth graders prepared in order to give them a great farewell (“On my way” by Phil Collins, and "This is Not Goodbye" by Sidewalk Prophets). A lot of emotions filled the air throughout the whole event: laughs, happiness, nostalgia, melancholy. We even shed a few tears while singing to them. But as the song we sang to them went: “This is not goodbye… I know we will meet again… and it is time for your life to begin”. From behalf of all tenth graders we will all miss you terribly, yet we know for sure that this is definitely not a goodbye but a see you later.
In Santa Francisca Romana, girls are not only taught to be excellent, intelligent and serious students, but also leaders, who serve those in need and are light in the world. Therefore, when the time has come for us to leave the school provides a ceremony called “The Zarza” which not only allows students to say goodbye and receive the symbol that represents the community, but also, it is a chance to look back on the impact they had in their school and the mark they have left behind as their legacy.