Senior Year - Discovering my Independence

This is the last post in recording my youth, linking up here:

My Senior Year was my favorite year in High School.  I loved High School - I really did.  I had great friends, positive experiences and attended a great school.  This year, I wasn't dating anyone, I felt disciplined (I had a strict exercise routine and lost some weight), did well in school and just had fun with friends.  I also found out I was accepted to the University of my choice, so life was good!  I was beginning to feel like I could handle life on my own.

My Senior picture- after 4 YEARS - no braces! :) 

I went to the Senior Ball with Hyrum R. this year.  It was a fun 50's theme, with "Unchained Melody" as the song for our floor show.

Hyrum and Coralee Senior Ball

Often, we would all hang out as a group together.  This is a surprise birthday party we threw for Norrene for her 18th birthday.  We gathered at our house during lunch (we were allowed to go home/leave campus for lunch) for pizza and cake.

The Gang

I did cheerleading again this year, as well as choir, Performing Arts, and Yearbook.

Another milestone was completing my "Personal Progress" goals at church, to receive my Young Womanhood Recognition as well as graduating from four years of Seminary

Seminary Graduation

I, along with one of my best friends, were selected as Co-Valedictorians for our class.  I had a slightly higher GPA, but Cindy had more credit hours, so they gave the recognition to both of us.  I didn't mind sharing the spotlight because Cindy's parents had promised her at the beginning of High School, that if she graduated as Valedictorian, they would buy her a car.  I didn't want to be the reason she didn't et her car!   

I remember preparing my talk (and being nervous about doing half of it in Spanish).  I ended up using Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go", along with a slide show of pictures from the book.

JSA Graduation class of 1996

My two older sisters, Leilani and Sheila, along with my Grandmother were able to attend my graduation with my parents.

Graduation with my dad, grandma and mom

About two weeks after High School graduation I packed up and started summer term at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  This was the end of an enjoyable and meaningful stage of my life, and onto another.