Goodbye, and Good Luck
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| Hunter Swanson, Class of 2020 |
My time is winding down as a student at Hinckley-Big Rock High School, my love for this school has never been stronger and will never fade. HBR has done so many wonderful things for me and it has helped me navigate through life. High school has given me endless opportunities, friends and knowledge. Most importantly, HBR has given me phenomenal teachers, coaches and staff that have helped shape who I am today. There is an immense amount of knowledge floating around the halls of 700 East Lincoln Hwy, Hinckley, IL. The friends that I have made during my high school years will always hold a special place in my heart and I will be forever grateful. During my time at HBR one of my many goals was to be involved in extracurricular programs and represent HBR to its highest potential. Knowing I wanted to be able to attend a four year university, I tried to get involved with as many programs and clubs to help me make more friends and gain more knowledge. I am sure glad I did that, some very special memories were made during these times. I realize being involved in extra programs surely helped shape who I am today. I wanted to be a part of all the activities, and I truly loved everything that was going on with our school. I can’t help but be grateful for what has surrounded me for years.
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| Hunter (Far Right) and friends at the leadership retreat |
On a side note, I would like to take the time to thank my parents who always encouraged me to do the things I did in high school and help shape who I am now. Most importantly I would like to give a special thanks to Mrs. Taylor, for being that person who invested in me. She was that kind of teacher who we all look up to and could always ask for advice even if it didn't involve her class. She always makes time for us! Of course teaching us a second language and countless life lessons was a big bonus.
Hinckley-Big Rock High School is filled to the rim with great people throughout the past and present. Our educational system is something we should all be very proud of and the athletic department and our athletes are always regarded as true sportsmen and very well respected. Thinking back on it, maybe school wasn’t so hard.
I would like to recognize all my coaches. Mr Taeuber thanks for pushing me in sports and in school consistently expecting success and high standards. Coach Runge, thanks for being a motivator, truly making me want to be a better person and successful athlete on and off the court. Coach Jackson and Coach Sidman, thanks for having confidence in me my freshman year and showing me the ropes. Coach Olsen thanks for always having patience and giving me something to work on after hours. Especially being the kind of coach who I could talk to and who would truly listen to me. Coach King, thanks for pushing us to the max and improving our team day in and day out. Coach Sanderson, thanks for believing in all of us and being there for us each and every day, even when things looked very dismal. You had a knack for picking us up and making us believe we could be better than what was being broadcast….. You are a very bright, influential and knowledgeable coach. From the bottom of my heart, thanks! To all of you, I hope to follow your program someday. Sports have taught me a countless number of life lessons. If anyone tells you it's just a hobby, for sure they are completely wrong! For me it was so much more than that.
I know this isn’t how the class of 2020 would have wanted this year to end. But one thing we can all say is we made this year special, we made new friends and made the very best of what time we had together. We made every last bit of it count. But in the end perhaps this unprecedented ending to our “golden” year in high school may somehow turn out to help us in the long run. I am sure it’s going to give us a little patience and compassion. This isn’t the end for us!!! We will all be successful in life and our new path will have its own hardships and challenges. Much like the Coronavirus, this thing that we like to call a pandemic, is only going to mold us into a powerful yet resourceful class that will have many successes!!! Sometimes you have to go through the worst in order to get to the best!! The class of 2020 will make Hinckley Big Rock High School and our community very proud. We got this!
As I sit here and reflect on my time at HBR, I ponder how I can help push the future generation of HBR youth into joining and participating in any, if not many, of the programs, clubs and sports available in high school. I'm currently employed working most days and I now often reflect, thinking about what I would do to just go back to school for a couple of more days. With that being said, I know it sounds sad, but truly cherish those moments with your peers. Enjoy it and work hard in high school.To my friends that I leave behind…. Make me proud! Work hard and be a Royal. To the future HBR youth all I can simply say is, get involved. Don’t miss the train. It’s a great ride, especially if you step outside your comfort zone. Try something new, nothing holds you back more than your own insecurities. The past is over, learn from it… The future is coming, prepare for it. The present is here so enjoy it!
Signing out one last time,
Hunter Swanson
2020 Senior Class President