Back in high school we had senior wills. They were anonymous vindictive compilations of aversion and malediction typed and passed around the halls from person to person. If you're still having trouble understanding what I'm talking about, I believe someone has related it to a "Burn Book" ala the movie "Mean Girls." (Which I have never, nor do I plan to ever, seen in its entirety.) It was written like a will with excerpts like, "To ______, we leave you zip tie. Hopefully that will actually keep your legs closed." However, the senior will I wrote for my college organization is nothing like the such. It is meant to be commemorative and touching, and I wrote it with the intention to make at least one person cry. I am posting this now because I was cleaning my computer desktop and decided to post, so if you missed it the first time around, here you go.
First for the Fuglies. Blame me, Leslie, and Amanda, if that name sticks. Stay close, you all are a fugly family now, and do not be afraid to let latecomers join. You will learn as much from FSA as course at UT. Fatima, I will always remember your infectious laugh and smile, and your overwhelming trust and love for you friends, take care. Mika, all work and no play. Make sure your study breaks always involve FSA, they can help you with your school too. David, my adopted ading, time to man up, learn to take a shot, no more drinks from me huh? Genny, my SoAding, you’re a sweet gal don’t let anyone tell you different. Dean, my baklading, my favorite part about you is your indomitable spirit. Aim high, meet people, and you will definitely go places.
Secondly the Squeefers. Your class is an example of how an FSA family works, nauseatingly close-knit, but still welcoming, with just the right amount of under-your-breath shit talk. I fully believe you guys have what it takes to bring FSA back to its former glory. Czarina, me and Joy are leaving. It’s up to you, Queeny, to make sure there is a least one CC to take your place when you leave. Janel, the past three FCNs were produced by people equally busy with non-FSA stuff, as you will. Remember, you have other people to help you all the time; I hope to taste some sugar bread at FCN next year. Daniel, you certainly know how to influence and inspire people. Only use your powers for good, use it to get people active in your community work. Brenda, I hope your care and help you give everyone never runs out, you were and still are an amazing officer. Anna, where are you? Ah there! You are nice, truthful, and blunt. Deadly mix, but makes for a good friend. Glenn, you know my PSN. Rochelle, my brickhouse co-Ate, please smack our adings if they are doing something stupid…literally….any of them. Leslie, you are someone with whom I can always converse. Please keep in touch, and come back to Texas. Anne, you have good intentions and high ambitions. What happened on that kayak, stayed on that kayak. Open up your options sometime, you might be in for a pleasant surprise. Lastly, my first (good) ading, my successor in oddly too many ways, Dino. You are going to hate me in about a year or next semester. I always got your back. Do better than me. In all aspects, take that sentence to heart. Over the time I met you, you truly are my brother.
Will the Squirters please stand up? One, two, three, aaaaand four. Alright, that’s four more than expected. Thea, shut up. In all seriousness, you crack me up. Emily, you have changed a lot since freshman year, good luck with everything you do. Randy, please stay active. You may, quite factually, be the only 4th year in the org next year. In life, experience means a lot, the officers and members will need your input next year. Raisa…I said stand up. Oh you are standing. You were probably my first close friend in FSA. So for me, count that, I had a whole year in FSA without a friend like you. I am glad you joined. I will make sure to visit you in Houston sometime when we are both done with college.
The Floaters. Looking at the newbies, we are the last of our breed. It’s looking like shot trains, Duval, proper freshman motivation, all leave when we leave. I do not really identify myself as a “Floater,” but you guys are my class and we been in here for four years together. Anh, told me to mention him in my will. Darrell, also wants to be in my will, thanks for being the best roommate of all my four years of college. Maria, my first (good) co-Ate, you know. You know how it is, optimisic but down to Earth, and always on my ass if am remotely offending. Joy, that’s it, game over, see you at Christmas. I remember our freshman year, and traveling forth between cities. I am glad to have been part of your life for this long. Oh, and thanks for bringing me to FSA.
The last group, the people I do identify with, has no name. Even though we are not Floaters, Squirters, Squeefers, or Fuglies, the love for this organization runs deep. Cef Heruela, keep it real. Open your mouth more, because I know you know what you are talking about. Lance Heruela, “How are you doing?” I met you freshman year, and despite everything thrown at you, you always keep seeking your aspirations, I admire that about you. Keep fighting the good fight. Panda, you will be in Houston soon, please do not expect me to drive two hours to jumpstart your car, but do not ever hesitate to call if you need help. We grew a lot closer this past year and I appreciated your company and advice, heh. Gel, always smile and sing often. Being a first year upperclassmen, I tried to make sure you felt welcome when I met you, and now you are an officer. With your kindness, commitment, and sweet voice, I know you are going to make an awesome nurse. JoieL, what in the world did I drag you into. You are the president now, not bad considering a year ago you knew only a handful of people in the group. I wish I had met all of you four years ago. Until meeting you guys, I could not wait to leave college. Starting a career, traveling, earning real money, not studying; all of that could wait if it meant I could hang out with you guys at least one last time.
I finally understand. I finally understand why, when I was a freshman, the upperclassmen appreciated the alumni so much. Come your senior year, maybe you will too. This night ends in a couple more hours, what will you take from it? What can you take from it? The food will spoil. Our clothes will go out of style. That group picture of your table might even get lost.
Memories. In the end, all we have is our memories. Memories of the happiness. Memories of drama. Memories of when, what, and why. Most of all, memories of all the friends. Most of you have those titos and ninangs that are not really related to you, but friends of your parents. The friends you make today, just may be the titas and ninangs of your children. Cherish every moment with your friends. Soon enough the people beside you will just be memories, and memories are everlong. When you care about your friends, you will do anything just to see them smile. Everybody, thank you.
