Our journey at Upper Columbia Academy has been a long, treacherous road filled with many trials and tribulations, and exciting adventures that we will remember for the rest of our lives: taking hours of classes, hundreds of tests, annihilating several forests for the sake of homework.

But the main things that will stick with us after we leave UCA are things that we did not learn in a classroom. Being a good friend, learning to work hard, keeping a positive attitude even when things are not going our way, and how to change the things we do not enjoy are the lessons that will help us even if we forget everything else we learned.

To those that follow, here are some words of advice: Only you can make your experience at UCA a positive one. The faculty cannot, your friends cannot, and even God cannot if you do not allow him to.

Have a PMA (positive mental attitude); get involved – if you do not like it, change it; make new friends; cherish old friends; and put God number one.

To those who are leaving, we salute you. It’s been real, and it’s been a whole lot of fun, with memories that will last a lifetime: Senior Survival, Senior Trip, and soon Grad Weekend.

Everything we’ve learned is important, but not as important as having a personal relationship with God. As you leave UCA, go out and live a fun-filled, Christ-centered life, and whatever you do, don’t live your life a quarter-mile at a time, even if in those nine seconds or less, you’re free.

Live your life to the fullest and do not put restrictions on your freedom or yourself.