by Connor Martin ’13

I feel like I’m one of the final three teams racing to the finish line in “The Amazing Race.” I feel like I just made the final two after the last HOH competition in “Big Brother.” I feel like I just survived the final Tribal Council in “Survivor.” I’m on the home-stretch with high school.

I’ve played hard to get to this point. When it seemed like everyone wanted me out of the house, I prevailed. I lied, cheated and won competitions. The biggest obstacle to overcome was when math started winning all of the Head of Households. Every year, I never got a break! I was always up for eviction. But it hasn’t gotten me yet.

My favorite challenges happened when I was sure my tribe would vote me out at Tribal Council. I found the hidden immunity idols and pushed through, managing to completely blindside everyone (even myself at times) with my ability to persevere. The hunger to win was there—along with the hunger I often felt during third period. I’m like the new Russell Hantz mixed with Coach and Malcolm, except I’m going to win.

The race is almost to an end. The eleventh leg ended a while ago, I’m sprinting to the finish line! The race was incredible. It was an Incredible Race. I can’t wait to see Phil Keoghan (Mr. Gregory) up on stage at the finish line on June 11. There were Detours, Speed Bumps, Pit Stops and Road Blocks, but none of them stood a chance.

High school, my time with you is over. I’m crossing the finish line, I’m getting voted as the winner by the jury, I’m meeting Julie Chen with my check. Everything is going according to plan and I can’t wait until I come back for the all-stars season (college). High school, you have been evicted. High school, you are the last team to arrive and I’m sorry to tell you that you have been eliminated. High school, the tribe has spoken.