Nine months ago, senior Kate Haravon was talking and laughing with her twin sister, Olivia, and their childhood friends, seniors and twins Grace and Isabel Carlson, reminiscing on their shared experiences in high school on a six-hour car ride to a college visit. In three months, they will all be going their separate ways to different colleges. 

For many seniors at South, the experience of parting ways with longtime friends as they pursue their post-graduation plans is a shared reality.

The friendship between the Haravons and Carlsons began when they were in preschool, and has not changed since, Kate explained. Over the years, they have influenced each other in positive ways, Kate added. 

“We’ve helped each other become our own people, and more outgoing, caring, and energetic,” Kate said. “[We’ve] grown together, and [have] had our friendship to guide us through high school.”

Coming into high school, Kate appreciated having her sister and the Carlsons in many of her classes and activities, which made her feel at ease knowing that her best friends were with her.

“High school has opened up so many opportunities already, but being able to do everything with [Grace and Isabel], along with my sister, [has] been really special,” Kate said. “[I’ve] made a lot of core memories and experiences that I don’t take for granted and appreciate every single day.”

Seniors Jenny Park and Yerin Jeon have had similar experiences as childhood friends since first grade, when Park invited Jeon to play a game of tag. Since then, they have connected with their shared experiences playing the flute in Concert Band.

“One of my favorite memories was in middle school band, when [Jeon and I] were doing a duet,” Park said. “We would always [practice] in the back practice room while the rest of the band was playing, and we [could] never stop laughing.”

Jeon and Park said their relationship has flourished over the years because of their commitment to open communication-

“I can say everything [to Park] with no filter, and I know I will not be judged,” Jeon said. “We both feel comfortable when we talk to each other [because of] our years of friendship, and I can be myself around her.”

One piece of advice that Kate would give to younger students about maintaining long-term friendships would be to talk through any problems they may have.

“If you have an issue with a friend, and you really care about that friendship, you’ll work through that problem or that drama,” Kate said. “That’s how you know that, like, you’ll be friends like, for a while.”

As Park wraps up her journey in high school with Jeon and looks towards the future, she advises younger students to enjoy the time that they have.

“High school has felt like a millennium but also a second at the same time,” Park said. “Cherish the time you have with [your friends]. If you don’t [accomplish what you want to] with your time, at some point [you won’t] be able to do stuff like that with your friends anymore.”