This year has been crazy, and while I spent the majority of it away from this blog, I thought that the end of the year would be a great time to review the year, so instead of doing a Things in December I decided to do a year in review. Looking back I can't believe that it's only been 12 months. The personal growth I've experienced living in college and the friends I've made while away from home have been so amazing.

1 | I Got Into HARVARD

I got into all of the colleges I applied two except for 2, and that included getting into Harvard. I've already spoken about this achievement, and even though I decided against attending Harvard in the fall, I will never forget the happiness I felt when I found out.

2| I Chose a College

3 | I Graduated High School

Besides choosing a college I also graduated from high school. Just like my first semester of college, it wasn't without its ups and downs, but I really enjoyed all the teachers and friends I came in contact with at my high school.

4 | I went to AIM

Not going to lie I wasn't expecting to meet my future best friends at this summer program. Yet, here I am writing about how I met most of my current friends at this 5-week experience. Heck, I met my future boyfriend at this program. I got my first "official" taste of anchoring in a studio through this program and got to recognize that this is what I want to do. Besides the academic and leadership side of this program, I got to have fun with people who would become my good friends through day trips to Lynchburg and swimming at Goshen Pass.

5 | I Went to Jamaica

I may have mentioned this earlier, but I spent a week in Jamaica shortly after I got back from the AIM program. My mom is from Jamaica so I also got to visit my extended family while I was there. The sun, the beaches, and the food really helped nourish my soul, and remembering what once was always makes me a little adder when I think of what I eat at my college's dining hall hahah.

6  | I Moved into College

Like the crazy gal I am, I moved in the day before my birthday on August 25. Most hearing that would think that was the recipe for homesickness at the start of the year, but thankfully I was able to hold off those thoughts for a few more months. College was a crazy time that I'm only now starting to unpack, but I'm so excited to see what the future holds.

7 | I Went to Baltimore

My school offers students the chance to take pre-orientation trips which would allow them to move in a week earlier and travel to different locations to either do volunteer work, trek trails or get acquainted to campus. I chose to go on the trip to Baltimore which focused on educational policy and the effects of race and socioeconomic status on one's chances of graduating from secondary institutions. Not only was this a mind-opening experience, but it really helped me realize on a smaller scale how systemic some of America's problems are. One road in Baltimore has homes below the poverty line on one side and homes owned by millionaires on the other. The wealth disparities were crazy and the effects are very visible in Baltimore.

8 | I Began Anchoring

At the start of the school year, I auditioned to become an anchor for my school's news broadcast and was offered the anchor position. This experience has been everything I wanted and more. And I cannot wait to (hopefully) do it all over again next semester!

9 | I Went to DC

Those closest to me know that DC is one of my favorite cities in America (it's a toss up between DC and Dallas). Being in such close proximity to our nation's capitol has allowed me to experience so many things from seeing the Newseum before it closed to trying out a fast ramen place (because we all know that isn't available in Lexvegas haha).  But the best part was going with my friends and getting to explore the city from a slightly different perspective.

10 | I Met a Boy

Hit em with a whoaaaa. I think this tops the list of things I did NOT expect to happen in my first semester, but as God keeps showing me. There are so many things you cannot plan for. It's been so much fun taking on life with this boy and I can't wait to see all the crazy things we do next semester.

11 | I Went to Some Dances

12 | I Got All A's!!

I can't think of any other way to cap off an amazing year than to mention that I ended the year with a 3.975 GPA this semester (which is actually slightly off because I don't get credit for one of my classes until I take a trip in February that's part of the class), but I digress. I know that next semester will be significantly harder because I will be switching up the style of classes that I'm taking (namely taking econ and accounting instead of traditional liberal arts lit classes), but I'm excited for the challenge. Plus, I will have friends in my classes so I can't wait for frantic midnight study sessions.

What was your favorite memory from 2019?

1 | Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas day. My family never really did much on Christmas eve, but I still remember waking up in the morning to Christmas music which signaled that my siblings and I could come downstairs. We'd read the nativity story in Luke and then open one present before breakfast. It was always such a great time, and I can't imagine picking Christmas eve instead. (Especially since that tends to be the last-minute stress day to get any last-minute stocking stuffers.)

2 | Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags?

Gift Bags. I won't lie I am a terrible gift wrapper. Can I and do I still wrap presents from time to time? Yes, but I definitely prefer a good gift bag topped with an obnoxious amount of tissue paper and twine.

3 | Christmas Party or Cosy Night In?

I'm a big Christmas party food gal, but I have never and will never be a night owl. Even if I do choose to spend the night at a Christmas party I tend to bow out around 11 (*coughs* 10:30) because deep down I'm a grandma.

4 | "Love Actually" or "The Holiday"?

I have a confession to make...I haven't seen either of these Christmas movies. My favorite Christmas movie is actually The Last Flight Before Christmas which is shown on Lifetime.

5 | Giving Presents or Receiving Presents

To be totally honest I'm a fan of both. I always love surprising my friends with presents during Christmas, but I would be lying if I said I don't love to read heartfelt notes around this time too. Christmas is a great time for giving and this is just one of the many aspects that make me love this season.

What are you excited for this Christmas season?

It's been awhile since I've posted on here and that has been for quite a few reasons, but I plan to get into that in a later post. For now, I wanted to offer a list of all the great things that happened in November.

1 | Dinner & the Joker

While this may seem like a mundane activity, this was totally out of character for me. I never really went to movies as a kid, but when my boyfriend suggested we spend a night out I couldn't say no. We decided to go to a Thai restaurant near our college and besides the food beating d-hall it was fun to catch up with him outside of school bounds. After eating we decided to go check out the Joker. I won't lie it wasn't one of my favorites. I totally understood why the movie had to be so dark and actually loved the cinematic decisions of the director, but I couldn't get on board with the script. Joaquin Phoenix was amazing!

2 | Mock Con Gala

3 | Lunch with President Dudley

5 | Black Friday Shopping!

Despite being ill for the entire week, I still found time to shop because I knew I wouldn't be able to take advantage of those deals later on. I got quite a few great purchases including Champion joggers, Supergas, sweaters, and other knick-knacks. I also stocked up on some Christmas presents that I can't wait to give my friends both at home and in college.

What did you do this past November?

Even now as I set my fingers against the keys of my laptop I feel this pang in my chest. As if I'm unworthy to write a word. As if I've been gone too long. As if I will not be welcomed with open arms. For the longest time, I wasn't sure whether I'd post again. I had such high hopes for this platform but the weight of senior year and college applications (and decisions) felt like the world. I barely had enough energy to survive writing my application essays let alone write a blog post.

For a writer, few things hurt more than writer's block. That mysterious fog that seems to encompass the brain and limit one's creativity. This fog was especially stifling after I completed my college applications and was forced to wait for what I hoped were acceptances. During this time I questioned a lot of things. I questioned the time spent working on school work over football games in high school. I questioned my writing abilities. I questioned myself.

I am my worst critic. As the Editor-in-chief of my school's paper, I've made it my job to edit things to perfection - to ensure that everything is left in a better package. Yet as a blogger, I've come to realize that I must ignore that voice in my head and allow some of the imperfections to show. These kinks are the very things that make my writing different from the next writer and blogger. In the midst of all of this, I remembered a single lyric from Andy Mineo's song, "You Can't Stop Me". Oddly enough I tend to go to this song whenever I get bogged down in my soul, and that day a different lyric stuck with me. He said that "my biggest enemy is me and even I can't stop me".  This lyric applies to all of us, but it surely applied to me during this situation. So many times we allow ourselves to come in between what we love yet, in the end, we must make a decision to either give up or persevere.

To those experiencing writer's block I just wanted to say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Your concerns are valid. You CAN beat this because there is always an ending and a beginning. You will not be in the dark forever, Hold out and wait for the light because it always comes. It may not always be in sight, but hold out for it because once you grab hold onto it you will be so happy you went through the trials.

This past winter I got the call that most high schools seniors could only dream of. A likely call - my application had just been read and I had gotten the rubber stamp - I got in. Even now I wish I had the footage of that moment, but like all great moments, it couldn't have been planned. It was unexpected in all of the best ways. I still remember falling to the ground in my happiness, the tears running down my cheeks as my parents asked what was wrong. This was the break I had been waiting for. This for all intents and purposes felt like my next step and at that moment it was. I didn't care about the possible costs or details, those things I thought would fall into place. If I was meant to be there that God would make a way. Fast forward to Ivy Day and unlike all the other "normal" Harvard hopefuls wondering whether they'd find there opening. I knew. I knew that I had already gotten into the #1 school in America - if not the world, and I was ecstatic to see the official notification. I had worked towards this my entire life so I'd be lying if I said that I hated to see the fruits of my labor.

Yet, deep down I knew that my bigger question was financial aid. Living in a family of 6, I knew that I couldn't afford to pay anywhere near the costs of tuition and board. I knew that the odds weren't necessarily in my favor considering my family's financial situation, but I also knew that where there's a will there's a way. So I waited for my financial award and unsurprisingly I was greeted with the costs of an Ivy education. As you may expect I appealed the decision and saw a slight increase in how much I was given, but nowhere near what was needed in order for me to go. At this point, I looked for last-minute scholarships and hoped that some of the bigger scholarships I applied for would pan out, but they didn't.

Even now while reflecting on that fateful decision I sometimes wonder about the what ifs. What if I had chosen to go to Harvard? Would funding have appeared had I taken a step of faith? But as more days past I've realized that I'm actually super excited to go to Washington and Lee. This is a place that I have visited multiple times and have loved. I may not be going to the ivy league but I'm definitely not settling for a school that is any less rigorous education-wise.

Note: This blog post contains affiliate links. You can read more about my disclosure policy here.

It's officially that time ladies and gentleman, to get back into the swing of things and get ready for school. Even though I don't start classes in September, I understand that many (including my siblings and friends) start in August. With that in mind, I thought I'd create a list of tech essentials for the new school year.

1. Backup Disk

I honestly can't think of something more important to have as the school year starts. I personally use this 2TB Seagate backup drive to ensure that I always have a second copy just in case my laptop decides to stop working. I also use Google Drive to back up my personal items a bit more frequently, but I seriously don't think you can do any wrong having multiple copies of your documents in case something gets corrupted. In this day and age, you really can't be too careful with your personal docs, and as a soon to be freshman in college I know the nightmare of losing everything is not something I want to experience.

2.  Reusable Insulated Water Bottle

I don't know whether you'd consider this a "tech" find, but I included it anyway because water bottles have really improved from the ones "back in the day" and are now keeping your drinks cooler (or warmer) for longer. I love when school restarts because it typically means I get back to my daily hydrated self. Summer is great, but I normally find that I don't drink nearly as much water as I should, and school helps me to get back into the rhyme of things. I suggest getting an insulated water bottle for school, and I found this great one on Amazon.

3. Laptop Case

It's super important to keep your laptop protected because it's practically an extension of yourself. That's why I suggest getting a laptop case like the one linked here. I was actually sent this one, by the company and have been using it for the past year. With that, I can seriously say it is a great laptop case! I love the fact that it has an outside pocket that makes it super easy to carry school supplies like pens and sticky notes inside of it. I only have three things that detract from my overall love of it. One, it doesn't really have a textured surface and the fabric they used for the outside is tough to keep from slipping in your hands. I also wish that it came in different colors because I love feminine touches included with my school supplies.

4. Alexa Echo Dot

This is definitely not a device that you "must-have", but is something that has made my life abundantly easier. Instead of having my annoying analog alarm clock go off in the morning I can wake up to music of my choosing with my Alexa. It also doubles as a speaker and personal assistant. Don't tell Apple, but I think that Alexa may be a smidge better than Siri - at least for me. It doesn't have quite as many capabilities, but there are a ton of free (and paid for) plugins that can allow you to add things like meditations and games so that it can be customized to your needs. My sister and I actually use to play heads up on my Alexa which is surprisingly more fun than you probably think.

5. iPad 5th Generation

I won't lie I left the iPad train behind in middle school after I got a lapotp for high school, but now that I'm looking to start college it's looking like a great option again. When searching for the best iPad option for me I knew I wanted something that could work with the apple pencil so that I could do handwritten notes. Not only would this be a more environmentally friendly option, but it's also easier to keep up with. After researching my needs I found that the 5th generation iPad would be the Walmart. I know most would now ask, but why didn't you just get the iPad pro, and I'd argue that I don't need that level of processing power since I only plan to take notes on this device. I still have a phone and laptop to use for video and photo editing. Anway, if you want to try out taking notes online or just want to try out digital calligraphy this is a great option that won't break the budget!

Now that July has come to a close, I thought it was only right that I did a monthly update...that was actually on time. July was a much busier month then I expected, but it was still fun and worthwhile.

1 | Late Fourth of July?

This was the first year (that I remember) not celebrating the fourth of July on the actual fourth. It rained and fireworks were basically canceled, but we still got to do smores which were fun. We also grilled out on the sixth and did sparklers then so I guess it wasn't too bad, but I hate the actual day got rained out.

2 | First Time Playing Laser Tag + Getting a Hang of Roller Skating

 It also got me thinking about the things we take for granted in suburban and urban America. Small things like Chikfila and Walmart are hot commodities in these parts.

3 | Returning Home from Virginia

4 | School + Dorm Shopping

5 | VACATION!

I won't go too in depth because I planned on doing a full post on my vacation, but let me just say it was a much-needed break. My family and I headed to Jamaica with a family friend and it was just what the doctor ordered. Not only did I get to stop and spend some time in the sun and on the sandy beaches, but I also got a chance to visit some of my extended family in Kingston. All in all this was the perfect cap to the end of my summer. I just wish it could've been a tad longer.

What did you do this past July?

1 | Disconnect

I love social media as much as the next person, but even I realize when it's time to take a break. I also understand the hypocrisy since you are probably reading this on your phone or laptop, but I still have to say it. TAKE A BREAK. Summer is a great excuse (or opportunity) to step away from the computer for a few days and truly live in the moment.

2 | Prioritize your Relationships (and Friendships)

Summer, at least for students, is a great time to reconnect with people you may have not been able to see during the school year. Prioritize the relationships in your life because, in all honesty, these are what make life worth living. Set up a lunch or ice cream date and catch up with your friends.

3 | Check in with Yourself 

I love summer because it is a great reminder to slow down. Throughout the busy school year, we are constantly at a go. We're pushing ourselves to the brink so that we can make it to the next level, but summer reminds us to take some time for ourselves and appreciate how far we've come to achieving our goals. It isn't selfish to check in with yourself and treat yourself as needed. You have to take time to REST and prepare for the next season of your life whether that be the next level in school or another year at your workplace.

4 | Go Outside

Enjoy the sunlight baking your skin, the fresh air filling your lungs, and the beauty of nature around you. I love summer because it is a great reminder that the sun keeps shining. It's sometimes easy to forget that the sun will dawn again during the fall and winter months, but summer really does help remind us that we were put on this Earth for a reason. I know it's sometimes hard to find a reason to go outside and enjoy the outdoors, especially since many of us work inside, but if you can try to be outdoors a little more this season.

5 | Take Life 1 Day at a Time

Don't plan your life too far out. This is hard for me, but I've had to realize that if we keep wishing for the next stepping stone we'll miss the reality of the stepping stone we're already in. I know it's cliche to say, but life is really about the journey, not the destination. Use summer to be a little more spontaneous. Say yes to that brunch with friends or that random concert you were invited to.

How will you try to be more present in your life?

This is such a late monthly update, but better late then never...right? I won't lie moving into a college dorm really gave me a chance to see how my time would be spent in college. It's hard balancing work and a social life which is why I took a little time to get oriented before coming back to this blog. I had some blog posts that were scheduled to go up, but they weren't fully done which is why some of you guys saw some blank posts. Regardless, there's no excuse and I promise to be better now that I know what my time is going to look like in the fall. Anyway, here are my favorite moments in June.

1 | W&L AIM Program

The biggest thing that happened in June was moving to W&L for a 5-week summer program. I never expected to make so many friends and have so much fun on this trip. I know I mentioned this program in a previous blog post, but back then I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no idea I was walking into an incredible program that would help improve my leadership skills and broaden my educational horizon. Nevertheless, in those short 5 weeks, I got that and more. I would go further into all that I did, but many of the moments I highlighted in this post come from things I did during this program, so I'll leave it to those.

2 | Visit Goshen Falls, VA

While in Virginia I had the chance to visit Goshen falls which is a popular spot in the Rockbridge area. Even though it wasn't hot we still got a chance to enjoy the water and picnic in the sun. IF you're ever in the area I would totally recommend giving it a shot.

3 | First Drive-In Movie

I don't know about you, but there are no drive-in movies where I'm from. We do sometimes have movies on the lawn, but never something like this. Yet I got to visit Hulls Drive-in while I was in Virginia and it was such a great experience - even if I probably should have packed warmer clothes to wear. We got to watch Toy Story 4 and the new live-action Aladdin movie. I loved Aladdin...Toy Story 4 not so much, but it was still a great time!

4 | Saw Julius Cesear at Blackfriars Playhouse

At this point, you're probably tired of hearing about the places I got to visit in Virginia, but I couldn't not include my trip to the famous Blackfriars Theatre. This theatre is the only theatre in the world to be modeled after Shakespeare's indoor theatre. Getting to see Julius Caesar on stage was such a great experience and I'm so thankful AIM gave me an opportunity to see this in person.

5 | Journalism Shenanigans 

My AIM program experience focused on the life of a journalist since I was in the journalism immersion. This meant I got to conduct interviews, write scripts for video packages, and anchor for an online news broadcast. This experience was nothing less than amazing because it allowed me to see that this could be the thing I want to do in the future.

6 | Survived My First Spin Class

7 | Reconnected with old friends

Throughout my college application process, I had the chance to visit many schools through various fly-in programs. This allowed me to truly see what college life could look like for me. It also allowed me to meet a ton of amazing people who will probably do some amazing things at the institutions they wound up in. Over June I happened to reconnect with some of the friends I met with on these trips and am so excited to see these relationships bloom further. It just goes to show you never know the impact the people in your life will have on you.

What did you do this past June?

Please don't let the fact that this show follows teenagers deter you though, for it definitely deals with a few major "adult" themes that I feel everyone can benefit from.

I also want to make sure you don't get the impression that this is a "deep" high school drama, while it has its moments the writers still manage to throw in plenty of comedy to make this topic a bit easier to swallow.
I was hesitant to add this TV show to my list, because I didn't want to be seen as a bandwagon, but after watching season 2 and checking out Madelaine Petsch's youtube channel I couldn't help myself. 

This show is the creepy small town thriller we didn't know we needed.

I will admit that I tend to scare easily which is why I don't like TV shows that could pass for horror films. That's why I am happy to say that this show makes the cut. This does not mean that it is not scary! But I don't find the scariness off-putting. Anyway, if you love a bit of romance, drama, and a dash of murder then this is definitely the show for you. (Plus let's not ignore the fact that this show features to hunks aka Cole Sprouse and KJ Apa.)
While most credit this show as giving Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis their start in the "acting world" I credit this show with giving viewers a chance to experience a different decade. Besides the catchy theme song, this TV show manages to remain timeless as a must watch comedy. 

This American sitcom captures the essence of those last years as a teen and succeeds to capture practically every demographic for it truly has something for everyone.

If you're looking for a family-friendly TV show that's relatable and funny then this is the show for you. I will admit though that like many TV shows it is chock full of sexual innuendos that add to the funny factor for older audiences. However, I can promise you that despite that you will fall in love with one if not all of the characters of the show by the end of the first episode. 

1 | College Decision

I finally decided on where I'll attend college - Washington and Lee University. Not only did this college give me the Johnson scholarship which is the equivalent of a full ride, but it also gave me an opportunity to study journalism at a liberal arts institution. All and all it was a near perfect match for me and my educational needs. My only concern is the location, but hopefully, my summer immersion will give me a better chance of seeing the beauty of living in a small college town.

2 | Honors' Day

Call me a weirdo, but this is actually one of my favorite days of the year. Everyone gets dressed up and celebrates all of the great things students in our school have done. This one was extra bittersweet since it was Upper School Dean's last one and yet another senior last.

3 | AP Tests

This year I took a whopping 6 AP tests, and if you're calling me crazy I'd agree with you. For those who have taken APs I took enough to finish all of my stickers in the AP number booklet and require more. For those wondering, I took: AP Biology, AP English Literature, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art 2D, AP US Government, and AP Computer Science Principles. Despite the heavy workload I thoroughly enjoyed my classes and was happy I didn't take the year off. Let's pray for good results because I'd really like to get out of some of my college prereqs.

4 | Senior Dinner

My grade definitely never really grew super close even with it being our senior year, but senior dinner really helped change us for the better. We actually had a great time in each other's company and had a great time. I think this was honestly the first time that we had all been together outside of school, and I feel like I speak for the class when I say that was our mistake. We definitely shouldn't have waited so late, but better late than never.

5 | Graduation

This is the day I've been looking forward too for my entire "schooled" life. Looking back to some of my oldest journals I've seen it appear multiple times on wishlists. It's the day that most kids dream of because it truly is a catalyst for something more. I don't want to go too far into it here on this blog post though because I created a video and full write up in a different blog post which you can check out here, but I say all this to say that I'm grateful for my high school years and cannot wait to see what the future holds.

6 | W&L Summer Program

Washington and Lee University's AIM summer program was a major draw for me when I decided to attend the university. I couldn't wait to get a hang of the college life before college started and also get a start at finding potential mentors. Now that school is officially out I have exactly 1 week before I spend 5 weeks in Lexington, VA and I'm stoked. Let's just hope that I pack enough things for my dorm since it'll be my space for the next 5 weeks.

7 | New Guilty Pleasure

This month, I finally decided to try out the show Lucifer. Now before anyone says anything, I will say that I probably had the same qualms as anyone else who heard about a TV show following the Devil. As a Christian that didn't sit well with me, since I definitely monitor what I choose to watch. Yet, I won't lie this show surprised me. It focuses more on a character misunderstood rather than an evil being. I also won't lie, I'm currently in the middle of season 3....after starting a week ago. Feel free to judge me because at this point I deserve it and honestly don't care because it's a great show.

8 | Sweet, Sweet, Summertime!

This may sound crazy, but this is the first "true" break I've had since middle school. Between summer reading and wanting to get ahead on college supplements, my summers have always been chock full, yet now I have nearly 3 months to fill how I please. I will say that 5 weeks of my summer will be filled by the above summer program, but the rest will be left to me. I'm so excited to have a little more time to exercise and get back into prime-exercising-shape. I also can't wait to spend more time with my friends (both from my middle and high school years) and just recharge before college!

9 | Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Lastly, but certainly not least I got my wisdom teeth surgically removed this past week and it was about as fun as you may expect. Unlike the funny videos that litter YouTube I wasn't given laughing gas because my teeth were impacted meaning they would never break through the surface. Instead, I was put under anesthesia while the procedure was done. This may seem like an odd thing to include in a monthly wrap-up, but I don't remember ever seeing people who were put under for their wisdom teeth extractions and I want to be an example for others. It is a normal thing and with the right doctor it can run super smoothly. I won't lie I was super scared about the whole thing because one of my friends had a horrible experience that ended with her getting an infection, but thankfully everything went smoothly for me and I'm healing up nicely. What surprised me the most was how quickly I got over eating soup and ice cream. Ask any kid under 5 what they would love to eat every day and it's probably some sort of sweet like ice cream or cake, and I thought that I'd be okay with my diet being primarily soft sweet foods, but that grew old fast. Nobody really warns you about all the savory foods you'll wish you could eat after getting your wisdom teeth out, but let this be a warning to you now haha.

For most graduation is a day long dreamt of. It's the culmination of all your hard work and celebration for the effort put in thus far. It's a recognization of everything you've done for the past 13 years.

Graduation, like all major moments in one's life, is a stepping stone to something bigger, something greater. It is a moment where we can all come together and celebrate one another's accomplishments. It is a moment where we are able to see our hard work pay off. It is a moment where for a second everything seems to fall into place.

My AP English teacher would call this moment a tableau because it is one of those times that seem frozen in space. A moment we will remember for a lifetime. Yet, somehow graduation is more than just a day where we dress up and remember the good times before we leave. It serves as one final last.

As we take our separate paths into the unknown we must notice that this is the last time we will sit side by side as classmates. It is the last time we will set foot in our school as students. It could be the last time we have all of our family around us. It is for all intents and purposes a catalytic turning point for our lives because this day represents the arrow leading us to the next stage.

At this point, life is still a blank canvas for us to fill in with our wants and desires. Practically all options are open - good and bad - for us to do what we want because it is now our world to conquer.

I honestly cannot believe that high school is over. High school gave me some of the best (and worst) times of my life. It brought me lifelong friends who I hope to stay in contact with. It brought me teachers who taught me more than a curriculum. My time in high school taught me to grow more confident and take courage in what you know. However, it also brought me some strife. I learned that life wasn't always fair and that sometimes things completely out of your control can weigh against you.

Yet, for all of the good and bad, I wouldn't change a thing because my high school experience helped shape who I am today. I am here today because of the people and events that impacted my life. Even though, I'm going to be far away from the family and friends that I hold dear I know that the relationships I cultivated in these 4 years won't be for naught. It may be a wrap, but this isn't the end - it's just the beginning.