Farewell: Xylia Manriquez

As I'm sitting down trying to figure out what to write, I just want to say I am grateful for all the memories and experiences I've had during my time at Fresno High. It's finally my time to say goodbye and move on to a new chapter in my life. I've had bad times and good times but that’s part of life to grow and change into a better version of yourself. I remember being a freshman with a big group of friends and now as a senior I am alone most times. It's so crazy how high school really does prepare you for the real word and teaches you so many lessons. 

Senior year was my favorite year. I am not friends with most of the people I came in with, but I always enjoyed our time together. Not only were we a big group at school, but we always went out and had so much fun. I also met my boyfriend this year and had a great time at the prom at his school because I wasn’t allowed in at the FHS prom because of attendance. 

One of my good times at Fresno High School was my freshman year, even though it got cut off early because of Covid, which sucks, but I am glad to be able to walk the stage. Covid messed up a lot of stuff for a lot of people, including myself, because I didn’t return until senior year, which kind of sucked for me because I didn’t do as much as I wanted to like clubs or sports or get involved, and that's the only thing I regret.  

I didn’t let myself enjoy high school, so of course, I did not enjoy most days. When I came back to school for my senior year, I wanted to make it the best year, but again it was a new start, and I caught myself getting setback again, but like always, I picked myself up and am still pushing myself to finish strong. 

So, that’s my advice to you: stay strong, when you fail, pick yourself up, push yourself to do better, and finish strong. 

Mental Health and Students

As I’ve written about before, I am also the older sister, which means I must be up and dressed as well as I must make sure my siblings are up and dressed. All this can be tiring and stressful, and I still must go to school all day and get good grades. I know I am not the only one that must deal with this, but for the moment, I’m going to be untypically selfish and focus on myself. There are times when it feels like it is too much. 

I know I bring some of this stress and anxiety to myself. I like to work and next thing you know, I’m overworked. I have a hard time saying no, and soon I’ve said yes to everything and everyone, and I find my overscheduled and double sometimes tripled booked. 

I may have a touch of OCD when it comes to cleaning; I'm up till 3 in the morning cleaning the house. 

The school offers counseling, and the REC is no longer a place for just naughty children, but a place that can help with social and emotional needs. The problem is that many students can barely get up out of bed and come to school let alone break our precious daily routine to go to a strange room and talk to a random person we don’t know.  

What is filling me with an even greater sense of dread is, as a senior, we get threatened that if we miss too much school, we don’t get to attend events like Prom, Grad Night, and even the chance to walk at the Graduation Ceremony, and NO, I don’t have the time to bring up that “D” in after school Edgenuity or attend Saturday School to replace a missed day.   I am barely managing to pass all my classes right now. 

Threatening to take privileges is not an effective way to help struggling students. There are a lot of caring adults on campus who want to help. These are the people who I turn to. These are the people I recommend you find that will help you hang in there and guide you to the mental health resources available.  

There’s an old saying, “You get more flies with honey than vinegar.” I’m not exactly sure why anyone would want to attract flies, but you get the idea. 

Oldest child

Being the oldest child isn't just about sitting in the front seat or getting the biggest room...but it is also not the worst thing. Growing up I felt like I was the mother sometimes. Having to get up extra early to get my siblings ready, cooking for them, or even making sure they do their chores. It's nice that your siblings feel like they have you and rely on you, but it can be tiring.

At the age of nine I knew how to shower, cook, clean for myself and when I met other girls my age at the time it was so crazy to me that they didn’t know how to do half the stuff I did.

Being the oldest means you mature so much faster and there is so much pressure from the family. If you get pregnant, get a C, or even just not doing your chores is a disappointment.

The good parts are like taking them to the park and helping my younger sisters grow up better than what I did. I love buying them things and doing their hair cute. I show them that they don’t need a boyfriend and I teach them new things every day.