Last year, I was invited to join The Journal by the then-Sports Editor, now Editor-in-Chief, Ava Campbell. I had no clue how The Journal ran or even where to find the room. That room, however, has been where I spend all of my free time during school. Whether it’s lunch, unassigned or iPass, I’m there.

Walking into The Journal, I know I’m loved and supported by every single person there. I’ve gone through so much this year, some of it great and some of it not so much, but I always know that whatever I’ve got going on, someone in The Journal room will be there to listen. Whether it be Elisabeth listening to me talk about whoever I hate that week or Mr. K listening to my college-related issues, I know I’ll be heard.

Although I won’t be here much longer, I’m glad I got to spend the time I could with The Journal.

The next step for me is college. Ringling College of Art and Design has been my top school since eighth grade. I never thought I would be able to get in, so when I got the letter saying that not only did I get in, but my portfolio was awarded a scholarship, I was over the moon. It was one of the few moments I’ve cried tears of joy.

I’m so excited to go to Ringling this fall. I’m majoring in illustration and hope to become a high school art teacher afterwards. Art is such a big part of my life, and I want to be able to carry that on to younger generations. I hope I can be as big an influence on my students as my art teachers have been to me.