By Jillian Higa
Good Morning, Everyone
As they said, my name is Jillian Higa.
Yes, another Higa. If you don’t understand why that’s funny, then you’re probably new.
I’ve been going to church ever since I could remember. Following in my sisters’ footsteps by participating in YBA and playing taiko. This Temple has taught me to view and live my own life differently. In other words, I’m able to understand that life will change in small or great ways.
For instance, If you don’t already know, I have two older sisters. Six years ago, I got to see my oldest sister give her Senior Speech. Since then, I’ve thought about what I would say when it’s my turn. Then not long after, my middle sister turned in her recording of her speech. The thought of what I’m gonna say came to mind again. The Temple has meant so much to me. I’ve had several years of lessons and teaching that I’ve learned that I could talk about.
Ultimately, after going through high school, becoming a YBA member, and being more consistent in attending services, it’s only natural that I talk about the changes that occurred in my life.
The first major change I’ve felt was not only starting high school, a new chapter in my life, but also becoming an only child at the same time. Both of my sisters were going off to college by the time I was going into high school. As an incoming freshman that didn’t have her sisters in the room next door anymore, I felt alone and overall scared to enter high school. But church gave me a place where I didn’t have to feel this way. As I walked through the hondo, finding my friends in the pews, that sudden lost and scared feeling went away.
As I finally got into high school, I had to learn how to adjust and persevere through the new social and academic aspects of my life. The past 4 years I’ve had to face challenges in friend groups, sports, and overall the struggle of staying productive. By my Senior year, I learned to deal with a variety of personalities when it came to friend groups. Although I didn’t get along with everyone, being able to develop the social skills to interact with new people is something I will cherish. As I reflect on everything else that I’ve done here at the Temple, I realized that through coaching Tri-City, attending Nakayoshi Gakko since Panda then becoming a Senpai, and becoming a full YBA member that participated on the cabinet, I’ve had to quickly develop leadership skills and the confidence in my own abilities.
Speaking of the YBA, I’ve done so much with this organization that has shaped me to who I am today. Not only has it created friendships and relationships that will become so important to me. But by attending conferences, becoming President, and other key events, YBA also taught me to step outside my comfort zone and take new opportunities as they come.
The independence, leadership, and confidence I’ve developed in high school and YBA has allowed me to enjoy my Senior year. Having a sense of who I am and understanding there will be challenges along the way, I’ve been able to get through my Senior year. But, the one challenge or change that I didn’t realize would have such an impact, was the limited time.
Senior year is all about saying goodbye, and having to let go of all things familiar. I recognized that this year would go by fast, but I truly didn’t understand how quickly everything would go. Although I tried to make the most of what would be considered my last year, I rather view this last year not as the end, but as a reflection to who I want to be in the future.
As I share my speech here, like my sisters did all those years ago, I can look back at how much has changed — being a little Dharma School student that couldn’t sit still in the pews to becoming the newest High School graduate in my family. Time has truly gone by and it’s only gonna keep going.
So, although time is fleeting and everything will become a faint memory, it’s important to carry what you’ve learned to help you get through life. The Temple has given me opportunities that allow me to reflect that it’s okay for change to happen. In fact, change will always occur in life, but understanding how you react to these changes will determine how you move forward.
I would like to say “Thank You” to this Temple, for being a community of familiar faces I get to see every Sunday. Thank You to all the friendships I’ve created through YBA and Dharma School. Finally, a huge Thank You to all my family. All my aunts, uncles and cousins for supporting me and always being there for me. My grandparents for coming to all my basketball games and taking care of me my whole life. More specifically, I wanna say Thank You to my grandma, she’s the foundation of my time here at the Temple and has made such an influence on who I am as a person. My mom for bringing me to church, supporting me in YBA, and for always pushing me to be my best. My dad for being my number one supporter in everything. As well as being patient and understanding when I’m being difficult. Thank You to Caitlyn and Vanessa for helping me create a path to find my own journey and being there for me through it all. I appreciate everyone here for creating a community that I can always come back to.
Although I said Senior Year was the time of goodbyes, technically now that I’ve officially graduated and Senior Year is over, I will instead say “See you later” and “Thank you.”