Blessed is the first word that comes to mind when I think of my high school experience at SHS.

I would honestly say I have come a long way.

There have been lots of ups and downs, new friendships and amazing opportunities. These last three years have made an everlasting impact on my life, whether it was something simple like eating lunch with my friends in room 400 or the Nashville trip I got to go on with my best friends and second family.

When I first arrived at SHS, I was a mess. I hung out with the wrong crowd and made a bad impression. But one person helped me fix it all. Mr.K, when you convinced me to join The Journal, I never thought it would turn my life around. I came in as a culture writer and met a staff that felt like a family. I looked up to these people, and knew I needed to better myself.

Although it was a rough journey, through these people, I found myself. I am forever grateful for my favorite seniors when I was a sophomore, Elisabeth, Sophie and I guess, Tristen smh.

I am also very grateful for all of my juniors and seniors this year, Jasmine, Ava, Lorelei, Lucy, Jose, Leyda, Nguniang, Jimena and my favorite writer Ari. We also can’t forget about my journalism partner in crime, who will be a future star, Katie (Kaitlyn) Crouch.

It would be an understatement to say that The Journal and journalism itself created an immense impact on my life because it has done things I can’t put in words. It is truly my passion, and I hope I will continue my journalism journey at IUI where I will major in Nursing and minor in journalism. Strange combo, I know, but I get to combine opportunity and passion.

To end off this letter, I have to thank one man. Mr.K, you have led me to become the best version of myself. You helped me through my lowest and were there at my biggest moments. I will never forget the hug you gave me after winning an award at Nashville in news writing. You are my biggest inspiration and a true hero.

I will never forget your famous line, “good work sucks when great work is possible.”