May 27, 2025 by Areeba Suleman (‘26)
“You are a Shaheen (falcon); flight is your vocation: You have other skies stretching out before you.”
This quote from the famous Urdu poet, Allama Iqbal, has been my anchor all throughout my life, and certainly throughout my journey here at Saratoga Springs High School. Iqbal calls his youth Shaheen, the falcon, the one that soars through the sky without any heed for what others may think of her. The Shaheen is not afraid of the tangibles, nor is she afraid of challenges or even the unknown. The Shaheen fears none. But this Shaheen sitting right here in the D-wing on senior skip day would like to confess that there is one thing that she is unapologetically afraid of: Goodbyes.
As I sit here, trying my level best to gather my thoughts, I cannot help but ponder over how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to say goodbye. Countless others do not get the opportunity to do so; therefore, I will try to make the best of this chance. Last year, as I looked at my father, Baba, for the last time at the airport, he said to me in a hushed voice, “Areeba, remember to appreciate and understand why goodbyes are so hard…”
Thank you everyone, because when I see my Baba for the first time in over a year, I will be able to say, “I understand now why goodbyes are so hard,” for you all taught me that goodbyes are only difficult when you are afraid to let go of something beautiful, something you have come to cherish and love. These sad, tearful goodbyes symbolize a time spent surrounded by love and care. So, here is my attempt at this grand goodbye:
Goodbye and thank you Saratoga, for you became my home away from home,
Goodbye and thank you to all my teachers, for you taught me things that I will never forget,
Goodbye and thank you to all my friends here at Saratoga Springs High School, for you made this experience worthwhile.
Lastly, a tearful goodbye and thank you to the team at The Lightning Rod that allowed me to have this opportunity to share my thoughts. Your kindness made this Shaheen fall in love with writing once again and as she soars into a different Pakistani sky, she takes with her this reignited spirit of journalism.
With Love,
Areeba Suleman (’26), signing off.