I have spent more time at this school than my own home, or so it feels. I was practically raised here, after all. I was born during a musical, and at three days old, I started my high school journey. I was always sick of waiting for my mom to be done with rehearsals, but I enjoyed being surrounded by music and friends. 

     Throughout elementary school, I spent my time after school wandering the hallways of the school with other kids who also had parents as teachers, but when they left, I was alone, left to my own devices for entertainment. I’ve spent a lot of time sleeping on the choir room floor or risers. 

     Though I had spent so much time at the high school, I never really felt prepared to go through my own four years of high school. I felt weirdly known, not only because of my parents, but my brothers both graduated from West, too, so I felt I had some sort of reputation to uphold.

     It felt strange transitioning to being a student as well, as previously the school had become a place where I waited to go home or help with theatre chores. Much of the staff already knew me, and I knew them. Many of them felt more like a family friend rather than my teacher, and adjusting was weird. Even out of West Albany I am known, and it’s haunting in a way. It’s like constant surveillance, and it can get overwhelming. 

     I’ve learned to manage and cope with the 16 hour days despite how tired it makes me, and how sick of this place I’ve become. I am constantly busy, which can get pretty miserable, but there are some aspects I will miss, like talking to my friends or annoying my mom during classes. After 18 years, though, I’m okay with leaving this place behind me. I’ll probably be back to help next year, anyway.