Student Perspective: Bara Shamoon's Senior Letter

As the school year comes to a close, Pleasant View School graduates share their thoughts and reflections.

InshaAllah you all are doing well! I’m missing each and every one of you.

Obviously this coronavirus has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health and I hope everyone is prioritizing some measure of self care (it's really important to do so, even now). And I just wanted to write this letter to each and every grade to tell you guys a couple of things.

Before that, I just hope that you guys take advantage of all that PVS has given you because they really do love us and find some way to help us achieve as students and people.

Mrs. Jennifer Alejo has been doing so much work in order to help our school get out there and gain publicity. Dr. Mohammed Malley has been doing so much work in helping the students evolve as people and more importantly, as Muslims.

He really does care about each and every one of us. I worked with him during dismissal and he has every students’ car memorized. He knows which students have to go onto the bus. He knows where all of the little kids are and takes big steps to show them that they are loved. He talks to them as he walks them to their car, carries their backpacks for them, even opens the car door for them and talks to the parents briefly.

We really underestimate how much PVS has helped us students grow. We all love the people around us and without them, life wouldn’t be right.

Eighth grade students, you’ll be walking into high school soon. Do your work and don't procrastinate. You all are smart kids and I know you will show everyone what you are made of.

Ninth grade students, I loved barging into your English and Arabic classes and watching you guys do work. I liked subbing and messing around with you all. You’ll still have the rest of your high school experience to enjoy and I really hope the best for all of you. I can't wait to be a senior in college and get to see all of you applying to amazing schools.

Tenth grade students, you guys are literally the class that I see exceeding in life. You all are so very smart, amazing and caring; please don't ever lose that about yourselves. School may be rough, but you’ll push through it and evolve so much as a person and Muslim. Keep Green Memphis rolling and make other groups, and be sure to get together and bond with each other.

Eleventh grade students, I know I didn't connect much with your class but I will happily be there for you guys next year. I know the college search and essay writing will be super challenging and stressful so if you ever need a helping hand, I'm here. You guys are such a funny group, so please don't lose that within yourselves. Don't let the stress manifest itself in ways that will harm you in the long run.

Twelfth graders, my amazing class, I love you guys so much and you all have been my family. A family that will never lose the strong bond we have created with each other no matter what or where we all go,

Thank you for the fun times and the amazing memories. You all will be okay, this year will pass and college will be a fresh start for us all. We’ll be freshmen and then seniors. 2024 will be our year since 2020 decided to dip on us.

On that note, thank you to each and every one of you all reading this! Thank you to Green Memphis, the MIST film group, the ones who left and the ones who stayed in my life. Things may not be going our way right now, but it’ll get better, Inshallah. I promise.