i just wanna tell you that you’re the first person to congratulate me for graduating from high school. my parents just said “well, at least you did one thing right” and skipped my ceremony leaving me without a ride home and I had to walk home in my cap and gown (without my diploma too bc there had been a delay) the whole day was so bittersweet because I was proud of myself but nobody in my entire family cared that I was graduating at all and the closest thing to an “I’m proud of you” that I heard was my grandparents telling me they were surprised I didn’t get pregnant and drop out during covid. your message means everything to me and i bet it will continue to mean a lot to the next few years of graduates.
Your parents are despicable and the adults in your life have failed you miserably. I'm so sorry, Nonnie, high school was rough even without the world falling apart at every available turn. I'm so proud of you and I'm sorry more people can't see your effort and your successes. I would recommend befriending some librarians, they're older and have a stupid amount of resources to help you get set up in the world outside of schooling, and they also are more informed than the average person--they know exactly how hard high school is nowadays. They're also some of the most genuine people I've ever met. "If your family sucks, make your own," has been the ostracized person's motto for centuries, now, and for good reason.
I'm twenty-five, now, I've been through some shit. I'm not a librarian, but you and all the other teenagers I've got in my notes are welcome to send me questions. I might not know everything you ask me, but I have adults in my life (well, adultier adults than me) that I can ask, as well as a multitude of librarians. Or I can direct you to Youtube channels that have helped me a bunch, or (American) government help pages that help with food, housing, paying bills, education, disability, and a buuunch of other stuff. Tumblr, if you're in the right circles, is also surprisingly helpful about sharing links that make a big difference, and I pass those around when they come on my dash too.
I wish you well in the world outside of high school. Good news: general workforce is a lot easier than high school.
About a little over a month ago on Friday I graduated highschool, and a few days before this I put up 5 of these posters of my fursona around the school as a little silly thing. It was quite anxiety inducing but it's been probably the bravest thing I've done in awhile, it felt amazing to be the silly transfem furry girl that I am and secretly show it. It's my way of saying, yes I'm trans and a furry, and I graduated despite what that school put me through. I wanted to make sure to let them know that I'm trans and a furry and that I exist, and that I'm very much graduating too.
It was kinda funny and felt empowering for me, I'll always be myself no matter what! <3
My bestie Foxfire did the text for me btw, and I appreciate him very much. <3