4 years ago, the class of 2017 sat in the auditorium on their first day of freshman year as they listened anxiously to all of the rules and guidelines that they would have to follow for the next four years. As I look back at that exact moment, I’ve realized that I am not the same person that I was when I sat in that auditorium four years ago. Many things have changed, friends have come and gone, obstacles have come up, and I’ve matured a lot.

Reminiscing back to the first day of freshman year in the auditorium, the old students activities director John Aldworth gave our class the challenge to leave DGS better than it was when we got here, and I think that we’ve successfully achieved his challenge.

Many things have changed around the school since we were freshman. As the students have grown and matured throughout their four years at DGS, the school has grown with them. Here are some of the things that have changed around DGS since we’ve arrived.

-Cell-phones are now allowed in the hallways and lunchroom.

-Students were given chromebooks to use in classes.

-Transgender bathrooms were added.

-Changing stalls were added in the P.E. locker rooms.

-The Memorial Peace Garden was built near the West Events Entrance.

-Video Announcements are on every other Friday.

-Some Freshman P.E. classes can now be split into all female and all male classes.

-The second dance of the year went from Turnabout to Southfest to the Winter Dance.

-We have a new student activities director, Jennifer Martinez.

-The DGS Softball team placed 3rd in state during our junior year.

-Join the Movement, an anti-bullying club was created.

-Students and staff are now awarded cookies, pencils and letters from other students and staff for being mustang way awesome.

-The ACT has switched to the SAT.

-We raised a ton of money for Special Olympics.

-The Ultimate Frisbee team was created.

-And many more.

As graduation approaches, I’ve realized that what I’ll remember most about DGS is not only the impact that our class has left on the school, but more importantly the impact that the school has had on me. I’ll remember the teachers that left an impact on me, led me in the right direction, and helped show me my own potential.

I won’t remember the many hours of homework, I’ll remember the classes that challenged me and made me work harder. I’ll remember the friends I’ve made and the memories that come along with them. I’ll remember cheering under the Friday night lights, and performing at assemblies.

I think it’s safe to say we’ve left our mark on DGS, and it’s left it’s mark on us. It’s helped prepare me for the future I have ahead of me, and I will always remember that.