6/15 five things I learned in high school and want YOU to know

1. TALK TO EVERYONE (I definitely wish I did this more)
Be friendly. Be kind. Don't act superior, but also don't act inferior. By doing so, you are excluding yourself from meeting all different sorts of people. Also think, even if you don't become best friends with someone, you can still impact them just by reaching out to them.  
2. FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEACHERS 
The bonds you make with them are different from the bonds you make with your peers. Teachers are wise, smart, caring, and usually patient. They are a special sort of breed, and you need to respect them just as much as you respect your parents (which is hopefully a lot, generally). And honestly, the people come to work to educate you often-annoying-and-sassy children, so the least you can do is ask them how their day is. And if you play your cards right, they might just get you into the Ivy League. ;-)  
3. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF (I say this with hesitance because I know some people like me lack the sense of control) 
Feeling stressed? How about depressed? Watch Netflix. Read a book. Take a walk. Breathe. Do something to take your mind off high school. Come on, it's only high school. Seriously, I think sometimes we put too much of an emphasis on high school, and sure yeah it's important...but will you not get into a decent college if you don't study for one test? If you don't read a class book every single night you're required to? Use SparkNotes or something! Haha I'm serious though. Just have faith and know that all will be well. Just chill. You're bound to perform better if you're not stressed anyways.  
4. KNOW YOUR WORTH
My entire anthem throughout high school was a scripture verse, Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, which states, "Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." This scripture verse was (and still is!) the ultimate comfort to me. It reminds me of how important I am to God, and that reminder is so powerful when I'm feeling down and unimportant. So, when you're feeling down, think of this scripture. You are freaking awesome, and even if other people don't know it, you know it. Even if you don't know it, God knows it. Your Heavenly Father knows it, and truthfully, that's all that matters! 
5. PRAYER WORKS If you don't pray for whatever reason, I encourage you to start and seek for the gospel (check out LDS.org!). If that's not your thing, meditate! I feel like both can accomplish similar goals. But really though, humble prayer has helped me a giant deal. It's super calming. It reminds me of how small I am and of how tiny my problems are in the scope of my entire life. It's the greatest reminder that even though we may not understand the trials we face today, we will one day. And if that's not awesome, then I don't know what is.

Now. About high school in general. For me, high school was a treat. I met great people, made great friends (both with my teachers and peers), got involved in cool activities, and did decently well academically. All of these things have molded me into a person that I can say I am proud to be. Of course, I have a long way to truly become the real me, the real and complete Cassey Cha, but hey! I'm happy with the person that I have grown to be right now, and I think that's pretty kick-butt awesome. So, thank you to everyone who has helped me become the person I am today.  Lastly, here's some of my favorite pics from graduation night :-)

(pre-grad and post-grad pics)

(the Senior PowerPoint was on point!) 

(Congrats also to my cousin Leng who also graduated!)

(my favorite people...most of the time MINUS David)

(number one in the class and number one in your hearts)

It has been a grand four years, but I am so freaking happy that it's finally over. 

P.S. Brown, I'm coming for ya. 

5/30 prom

Prom was fun! I don't know if I'm getting old or if I just got too crunk, but my body ached for two post-prom days so I'm pretty sure that means something haha. Anyways, here's some pics!

(obligatory corsage picture because I made it myself)

(we had a photobooth sorta thing and it was cute)

I didn't really take a lot of pictures compared to other people, but I didn't really want to so *shrugs*. I really liked my dress, and I'm certainly gonna try to find new ways to wear it haha. All in all, it was a memorable night. Thanks to all who were a part of it :-)

6/12 graduation speech

Ever since sixth grade, it's been my dream to say the final goodbye to my graduating class. Unfortunately, I was not chosen as the Class of 2015's Graduating Speaker. Despite that, I think I wrote a pretty bomb speech, so I want to share it. It's really special to me, and it kills me inside that I won't be able to give it in a formal setting, but it is what it is. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and without further adieu, here it is:

        Welcome, family, friends, and teachers of the Class of 2015. I am so excited and humbled to stand here in front of you all today. I am even more excited and humbled to graduate as are my peers, the people of the hour: the Class of 2015. Unfortunately for the most of us who—let's be honest—are still suffering from senioritis, this end is only the beginning. Fortunately, however, it is the beginning of something even greater, something so great we lack the ability to even comprehend it. It is…drum roll please…the beginning of our lives. 

This year, the Bunker Hill community lost three of our Bears. At one point, I thought there was no way we could bounce back from it, but we did. How? We told stories. We cherished each other. We made it a promise to never forget what happened and to whom it happened. The feelings we feel tonight are different from those we felt earlier this year, but we can grow from these feelings—from high school—in the same way we grew then. We tell stories. We tell stories about the times we defeated Saint in basketball and everyone crowded onto the floor; about the times we fell asleep in classrooms, me with my head always bobbing; about the time we all went outside to give the Varsity Men's Baseball Team a proper sendoff to the state championships; about the times we played trivia in Ms. Eddin's class. These are only some of the stories that we can tell. Next, we cherish each other. My peers, I ask you to take a small amount of time today to thank any of the classmates and faculty that touched your heart. I promise your efforts will be appreciated, and you will make someone's day. Lastly, we must try our best to never forget our times at the Hill. You can leave Claremont, Catawba, and even North Carolina. Leave and do amazing things. In fact, I hope you will, but please come back to Bunker Hill. Come back to our reunions. Come back to tell your old friends about your new friends, new adventures, and new endeavors. Come back to show us how you are utilizing your experiences at the Hill to fuel your future.

Now, if you do happen to forget us, forget Bunker Hill, whether it be your choice or not, I ask you to remember this: "Anything is possible if you just believe." To some of you this idea may seem naïve and childish, but it is not. I testify to you that it is not. I promise you that no matter how insignificant or flawed or incompetent you may think you are, if you believe in your own capabilities and passions, you will succeed. Coming from a family that lacks college graduates, I have at times felt that I would not succeed—that I will not be "smart enough" or "motivated enough" to earn a degree. I would be lying if I told you all those thoughts were in the past, but they aren't. In fact, they are running rampant through my mind today. The only thing keeping me sane right now is the belief I have in myself to do something great. I know that I was put here for a greater purpose than simply being Cassey Cha. And Class of 2015, I know each of you have been put here for a greater purpose than simply being another body. We were born into this world, placed into loving families both at home and at Bunker Hill, for specific purposes. And as we graduate, we are one step closer to discovering that purpose. We are one step closer to becoming something greater than boys and girls in the small town of Claremont, North Carolina. So Class of 2015, go out there with your head held high, and find out what your purpose is. 

         My fellow classmates, we have come a long way, and it has been a beautiful journey. I am incredibly amazed at the friendships we have created and the people we have become, and I know—without the shadow of a doubt—that you each have the potential to change the world, whether you believe it or not. Well, my friends, believe it. Actually, don't just believe that you can change the world. Believe that you will change the world, and you will do just that. Thank you so much for the great and unforgettable four years, teachers and peers of Bunker Hill. You will forever be in my heart as I hope we—the Class of 2015—will be in yours because “Once a Bear, always a Bear.”

If you're still reading thus far, thank you so much. It means the world to me. 

Congrats Bunker Hill's Class of 2015. We made it.