Freshman Ashlie Pitt took third place in the Asbury Park Press’s October Student Voices writing contest.  Her submission to the topic “What was your most memorable experience this summer?” won her an AMC gift card and a spot in the Press’s October 27th edition.  The essay can be found below.

“Ashlie, he proposed,” she squealed with excitement as tears of great happiness fell from her cheeks. “I’m getting married!” I found myself wiping away tears of my own, clearing blurred eyes. We were transitioning into a new phase in not only her life but in mine as well. The point where she was moving forward with her best friend while I was losing mine. Throughout the excitement between us, I was still able to recognize the real misery of it all — the happiest moment in my sister’s life would be the worst in mine.

Throughout my life, my sister has consistently been the woman I went to when I needed help, advice or a favor. Even when I just needed a shoulder to cry on, she was there. People who are always looking out for you propel you toward success. They motivate you to be the best person you can be, not only for yourself but for them. They help mold you into the person you are now. They are also the people that force you to question what you would do without them in your life, and that’s where I was that day.

For the next six months, actually. Throughout dress shopping, cake tasting and venue touring. Not even being presented as maid of honor deterred me from the fact that there would only be a vacant room in our house to remember her by.

My closest friend would turn into a distant pen pal.

However, every dark cloud has a silver lining. If she has taught me anything, it’s that “independence will be a necessity” and at some point I will have to grow up without her. I won’t always have her to consult with before I make a tough decision or to sleep over with when I get scared of thunder. I will have to stray from my comfort zone and follow in the footsteps of the great example she has set for me.

So this year, when teachers inquire what was my most memorable experience this past summer, I can tell them I became a little bit more of a young woman, while consuming a little too much wedding cake.