Each year I try to plant a little seed of knowledge and grow it,
With this class, though, they think they already know it,
That’s probably alright if I’m being honest, you see,
I have a sneaking suspicion this class is already slightly better than me.
In my mind I can karaoke with Miranda, even though I know it’s not true,
Odette’s so smart she got into the college I wish I’d gone to,
I thought I’d seen a lot of documentaries, but Cat’s watched way more,
I thought I was sarcastic, then I met Jessie and just heard the sound of her mic hitting the floor.
I tried to keep up with Isaiah on the track, but that didn’t get far,
I change my own oil--Kennan rebuilt a whole car,
I’m just awkward, but on placeholder Brennan makes awkward look fun,
Thank god Tate M.’s not of age or my bar trivia team would be done.
Jack W.’s sci fi worlds are so complex, they create mental strain,
I can program in Basic, Liam basically built a silicon brain.
I’ve been strumming my guitar while Declan’s penned a whole album of songs,
Sometimes I make mistakes--and I know, because Helena tells me I’m wrong.
I was playing ping pong, while Chance pinged the ISS flying by,
Grow another beard? With Wil around I won’t even try,
Jenna blocks my shots in volleyball--that doesn’t seem right,
And Patrick somehow even managed to beat me at height.
Kayla R. is already one of the toughest people I know,
This year I got a commercial, Luke got his own whole dang show.
I’m pretty nice, but Fiona’s nicer in so many ways,
While I was thinking of writing, Edith wrote, directed & produced two full plays,
Sam Meier’s half-court challenge keeps circling round my head like a vulture,
Caleb even surpassed my knowledge of obscure hipster culture,
Fishing? Intellectual? Henry’s already the world’s most interesting man,
And I don’t often join cults, but when I do, it’ll be Sam’s.
A few superlatives? Really, this class had a lot,
Most improved: Cameron Davis became really top notch,
Saltiest? An will have words if you got the newest iphone,
Most courageous? Skyler W. standing on that stage all alone!
Tana’s “Most Likely to Raise a Single Skeptical Eyebrow,”
Tori wins “Most Likely to Taunt Mr. Dow,”
Fiercest is Emerys who never gets sidetracked by others’ games,
Most Loyal? That’s Payton Manning’s own claim to fame,
Biggest heart? Jonathan wears his on his sleeve proudly,
Jacob Massie? “Most Likely to Lose his Head Loudly,”
Most Fun Mash-up? Motorbikes, websites and Joe,
Best Midseason Replacement? That’s The Sarah Show,
Best drummer/scholar? Rowan’s locked in without even tryin’
Kindest guy in the school, well we know that’s got to be Bryan.
Most likely to strike up a conversation--Darrel’s your man,
Came the furthest just to graduate: Ana and Roxanne.
Senior year is a time to try something new or do your own thing,
Amelia will dance any dance--as long as it’s swing.
Jack K.’s photoshop skills could give Gambill rock star hair and some swag,
Could be worse, Shauna got stuck making his U2 cover band flag,
Jasmine can take any material and fashion art above par,
And Nick became the cheerleading team’s big rising star,
Down at OCEAN you think they’d give maritime transport a try,
But Gavin only rides skateboards & Cassandra only will fly,
Kayla and Haily made frozen fruit taste like Starbucks Frappes,
Kaylie got me to mention her twice in grad poems-next time I’ll know it’s a trap.
Left behind on the bus, Phoebe won’t let her sister off the hook,
Lydia will apologize, but first could we all just buy the yearbook?
Zoë’s the only teenager to live half her year without screens,
Berkley’s three-point shot is so classic it could become it’s own meme,
And if Seren keeps running and jumping the Olympic Trials might be near,
If that happens, Kyle’s new tattoo will be a real pain in the rear.
With Senior Projects this class finished strong in the race,
A project about Germany? You know that it’s Chase.
Ismay built her own baidarka to row,
JR’s music app might lead to his first IPO,
Speaking of money, Asher figured a way to turn corners to cash,
Erik found out flying was a great way to burn it just as fast,
Emily S. can engineer any design to be a little more green,
Emily F. could even make wild Grant Streeters work as a team.
River is racing all the way to Alaska on kind of a bet,
Even more unsafe? Jacob L. took a toy and turned it into a jet,
Alejandro led his own band for another student’s play,
Juan thought he might like sanding boats, for like, you know, less than a day,
Shae helped people perfect their own English skills,
Alexi helped folks struggling with big grocery bills,
Morgan’s wildlife guide identifies ferocious critters ready to pounce,
Rosemary’s involved Latin words I can’t even pronounce,
Ricky finished his mural before the wrecking ball sends the Lincoln Building reeling,
Don’t worry PT--Katie’s designing a survey so we can all process our feelings.
Quirks? This class has more than a few,
Got three or four hours to kill? Tanner’s got a riddle for you,
Wanna talk death? Chandler will happily tell you we’re all gonna die!
And Bethany just wants everyone to give some K-Pop a try.
Bel took her art digital when real life space was out of reach,
Tate B.’s got the paint samples to tell your Flamingo Dreams from your Creamsicle Peach,
Moon’s voice won’t be silenced if she thinks she hears lies,
Eryn would have a lot to say too (if I let her get a word in edgewise),
Rrutanna thought it’d be fun to be the youngest grad. ever,
Get Gannon to quiet down about something he’s into? Uh, never.
If it seems like Jennifer’s drawing, don’t worry she’s still paying attention,
Christian’s always got some new, interesting fact he discovered to mention,
Milo’s so calm even as a child I bet he never threw fits,
I’ve outsourced all future poem writing to Mackenzie’s dry wit.
Sira asks such thoughtful questions you can feel the room’s ignorance decrease,
Kaya and her juiced veggies won’t let me eat my Twinkies in peace,
Casi is sometimes more honest than most--but her advice is sound,
With Mimi I’m never sure if her deep words are meant to be funny or profound,
Ari might already be the most mature person I know,
And Etienne’s got the best beats if you’ve got the flow,
Tyler always keeps a straight face--even while saying something funny,
Gerry so good with cash at Grad Night it’s gonna rain money,
Dashiel will write a letter to any official and actually send it,
Gabe might start a nuclear war, but Dani will end it.
So with that the class of 2017 readies to take it’s last bow,
Order will be restored, and I’ll only be slightly less good than Ms. Dow,
2018 will take the stage, and this class will join others in the past,
And don’t worry Skylar Hill--I’m not ignoring you--I just saved the best for last!
by Benjamin Dow