“We thought we were immortal bulletproof gods who would remain forever untouched by ticking clocks,” English teacher Thomas Cochran said of his senior year.

This mentality is mirrored by the students of Fayetteville High, cocky struts down the halls, mental countdowns until May and laissez-faire acknowledgements of school work, but life as seniors know it is about to come to a startling halt. Soon they will be forced to embrace the real world.

But are they ready to leave these brick halls? Ready to say goodbye to caring teachers, countless friends and the many memories? Yes? No? Maybe? Check the bucket list from the teachers of FHS for readiness to walk across that graduation stage and into the world.

1. Go to a game

The crowd is screaming, blood is pumping, and adrenaline is welling up like a storm. The Bulldogs are playing their hearts and souls out, and regardless of one’s feelings towards sports, there is an overwhelming sense of pride and community in the air.

So students, attend a sporting event, but not just a football or basketball game. Give all the teams the attention and spirit they deserve. Attend a swim meet or a tennis match. Cheer not only for the three-point shots and the touchdowns, but the home runs, bowling strikes, volleyball kills and butterfly strokes.

“Go to an FHS football game and act like a high school kid,” Dawg Crew advisor Michelle Fyfe said. “You get old really fast so enjoy this time.”

2. Attend a performance or a competition

Each year the drama department puts on two plays, choir has three concerts and a Madrigal Feast, and band has one concert, as well as the halftime shows at games, so really, there’s no excuse for missing one of these events.

Debate and Forensics also host a slew of competitions. These are called fine arts for a reason: they’re a fine way to spend time.

“(You should) experience everything your school has to offer: drama productions, choir concerts, band concerts,” said debate and forensics coach Tim Hollis, “(As well as) a debate tournament, poetry contest, science fair, math contest, yodeling contest -- whatever the smorgasbord offers: sample as many dishes as possible.”

3. Join a club

With more clubs than flavors of ice cream, FHS offers something for every connoisseur of social interaction. Parlez-vous Frances? Join the foreign language club. Fan of fantasy? There’s a club for that, too. Republican, Democrat, artist, mathematician, gay, straight, and everything imaginable, there’s a club to join for it.

“Participate in the opportunities for fun,” math teacher Carolyn Powell said. “Being ‘too cool’ robs you of your youth.”

4. Attend a dance

The dress is a perfect fit, the hair is meticulously sprayed into place, and the make-up has been painted on, enough to look good, but not too much to look trashy. The perfect night for girls to be princesses. Boys look handsome and polished, and everyone’s face hurts after pictures.

School dances may seem overrated, but they are an unbelievable place to create memories. Go with friends, laugh, dance, and have the night of your lives.

Volleyball coach Jessica Phelan is a strong supporter of having this experience.

“Attend at least one school dance and ask Mr. Jacoby to do the electric slide with you,” Phelan said.

5. Senior trip

Pack up the car, load up on snacks, grab a friend, some music, a destination, and hit the road. Every senior should travel somewhere on their own (without parental supervision). Soccer coach Gena McGee agrees.

“A short road trip with just one friend (is) a great way to feel independent without the longevity of moving out for good,” McGee said. “Get in good with your parents, keep the distance under 200 miles and choose your friend wisely. Come up with an itinerary that is legit and make sure you make it back on time and the car in one piece, lest you never get to leave the house again.”

6. Meet new people

FHS has hundreds of feet marching up and down the halls everyday. Among those hundreds, students will meet less than a third of the people those feet belong to. This school is packed with people of all kinds. Meet them. Get to know the students who cohabitate this institution.

“Say ‘hi’ or strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know,” special programs instructor Claire Garret said. “And there are plenty of students out there that you don’t know. You may find out they are just like you. Quirky and all.”

7. Appreciate the beauty of FHS

With its leaky ceilings and stairwells that are taped together, FHS may not immediately be associated with the word “beautiful,” but seniors should take a few moments to open their eyes and look past the bruises. There are dozens of murals covering the walls, walk around, really look at them, and at the names of the artists. See if they bring up any questions, like “why does Alice not have a face in the Alice in Wonderland mural on the second floor?” Then, on a sunny morning, follow librarian Sarah Roberson’s advice and head to the east stairwell (above the bus loading zone) and see the sunshine through the mural in the window.

8. Connect with a teacher

A student will have roughly 17 to 21 teachers throughout high school; these are the people who help the students succeed. Most of them devote themselves to giving the best educational experience they can.

“They are only here for you,” Hollis said, “not for the money.”

So, “really get to know one of your teachers,” counselor Leslie Zeagler advises. “The relationship will benefit you and you will learn so much more than the subject matter the teacher teaches. (And) write a teacher a thank you note. They will keep it forever.”

Librarian Cassandra Burnett has a familiar philosophy for students to abide by.

“Identify one teacher you stop and say hi to at least once a week. Eventually it will become a conversation that you look forward to.”

9. Volunteer

There are few things as rewarding as giving back to the community, especially a community like Fayetteville that gives so much.

Apprenticeship Coordinator Phyllis McGinty tells students to “volunteer for lots of different organizations so you can learn the value of helping others.”

Other teachers, like math teacher Andrew Milburn agree, his advice: “Be involved in some effort that makes (your) world better than (you) found it.”

“All seniors should have experienced the thrill of serving others,” ALLPS Principal Jon Gheen said. “Doing something for someone who is unable to do it for themselves provides a sense of personal satisfaction and human connection unequalled in other endeavors.”

10. Grow-up (or be ready to)

The last thing on the bucket list is the hardest to do. Going off into the world and saying goodbye to the warm cocoon of high school and blooming into a worldly butterfly requires some business for seniors to take care of.

Check credits to graduate, register to vote at 18, assume a leadership role, and learn that what is learned in high school is more than just facts; it’s a way to learn anything and everything that one could ever want to know.

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