In just a few short weeks, I will say goodbye to this fine institution. Not only will I be saying goodbye to Cabrini, I will be saying goodbye to Ashley “The Student” and saying hello to Ashley “The Real Person.”
So as my final send-off, I would like to share with you some of the things I have learned over the past 18 years of my education beyond the books.
In nursery school, I learned the hard way that having the last name “Weyler” always meant that I was last in line. Long story short, everyone in my class was allowed to bring home our classroom rabbit for a weekend. Turns, of course, went in alphabetical order. I was last. Let’s just say the poor little bunny had an untimely death the weekend before my turn. It wasn’t until high school when I learned to appreciate my last name, because I had the most fun and interesting homeroom at Prendie! In college, I really learned to appreciate it because if I was a few minutes late for class and walked in during role, I never missed my name. Suddenly, being last in line wasn’t that bad.
In kindergarten, I learned that telling the truth is always the way to go. My teacher hid paper letters around the classroom which we all had to go and find. The kid who found the most won a cookie. When I and a fellow classmate found a letter at the same time, we ripped it in half. Instead of taking it, we left it there. Of course my teacher found it and asked who ripped it. While the other girl didn’t budge, I raised my hand and said I did it. My teacher gave me a cookie, too, for telling the truth.
In grade school, I learned that I am an over-achiever. I can’t pick just one thing and be satisfied. Throughout those eight years, I tried a little bit of everything. I went to dance school, I was a girl scout, I was a cheerleader, I played volleyball, softball, basketball and ran track. I was in my school’s summer theater program and participated in Upper Darby’s summer stage. I was on Student Council. I also was on the swim team and diving team at my swim club. I did all these activities for at least three years each. Some of these activities I still participate in. I know that if I hadn’t tried everything, I would never have found out what my talents are. With that, I have learned that you should stay active and always try something new.
In high school, I learned that girls are so catty, that sometimes I am ashamed to be one. I can’t tell you how many times I stopped speaking to my best friend over a boy. Oh, the backstabbing, talking behind people’s backs, name calling over something as stupid as a boy. All you Catholic, all-girl-school alums can sympathize with me, I’m sure. I learned in the end, boys are really not worth losing a friend over. I also learned that you should start looking for colleges junior year of high school so that you can avoid changing your mind April of your senior year when you are already enrolled at a college and breaking your parents’ hearts.
During college, I have learned that while filling out your roommate form, be very specific, or you will be stuck with some psycho who walks around your dorm room in her bra and panties with your best male friend who you are secretly in love with in it. Believe me, there were many much worse incidents.
I learned that mixing beer with shots on your 21st and 22nd birthdays earned you a trip to the porcelain bus.
I learned that you shouldn’t look for love, but be patient. Love will show up at your dorm room at 9 a.m. during finals week with a dozen red roses. With that, I have learned that you will find love in the most unexpected people.
I have learned that your true friends will stick by you no matter where you go or what you do in life. They will stick by you through breakdowns and break-ups, drunken stupors and embarrassments. They will drive down from school two hours just to come and drive you home for your 21st birthday. They will sit in a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot at three in the morning and listen to you cry. They will not judge you if you make bad decision and not say “I told ya so!” when those bad decisions come back and bite you in the butt.
I have learned that my parents are my heroes and that they are living their dreams through me.
Some of this may have been common sense and some may have been new to you. As Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop once in awhile, you could miss it.” So don’t miss a thing!
Posted to the web by Tim Hague
