To my parents
Mom, thank you for always being there for me; I love it when we watch Christmas movies together and when we make fun of stupid reality TV shows. I’ll never be able to put into words how much I appreciate you, but I’ll always try. We don’t always agree, but I can go to you for everything, and no matter what we’re doing, I’ll always enjoy it if I’m with you. I appreciate you letting me win Ticket to Ride every once in a while. You are the hardest-working person I know, and I will never understand how you have accomplished everything you have; you are my biggest inspiration and supporter, and I love you more than words will ever explain.
Dad, thank you for laughing with me about anything and everything; I love coming home from school and telling you all the trivial details about my day. I love asking you profound questions about the universe, and you somehow always have the answers. Thank you for introducing me to all of my favorite shows because it seems I inherited your sense of humor; thank you for letting me steal your hoodies because I don’t own any, even if it annoys you. You make me try new things; even if I’m hesitant initially, I’m always grateful for it. I hope to one day have your knowledge of the world, and I hope I can understand board game rules as fast as you can; I hope you can teach me how to drive stick-shift and read maps. I can’t wait for everything else we’ll do together.
To my family
Lucas, thank you for being my friend; I know we don’t always get along (if ever), but thank you nonetheless for being there for me. I know you get annoyed when I make fun of you or tell on you about something you did, but know that I always have your best interest at heart because I love you, 
even if I never say it. Jacob, thank you for getting me snacks after school and always being down to play (and lose) a board game against me. I love how passionate and confident you are in your interests, and I wish I could have half the courage and bravery that you do. Brielle, thank you for being the best sister I could imagine. I know I’ve already written two stories about you, but honestly, I’ll never run out of things to say about you. You waking me up in the morning is the best start to my day, and I’ll never
stop being amazed by everything you do. I love how you cut your hair to look like me. I love how you’re always excited to hang out with me, and you’re my best friend in the world.
To my friends
Thank you to Victoria Chiaburu for being the friend I can go to with anything. I can tell you all the stupid stories about my life, and you’ll always listen, and you share my love of traveling and the world. You annoy me sometimes with your ability to get straight A’s without trying, but I admire your intelligence and your work ethic, and I don’t know how you do it. I love our mall trips 
and the candle with our faces on it. I love how you’re always giggling in class for no reason and how self-assured you always seem. You are eerily similar to my mom, but you’re one of the best friends I have, and I appreciate you infinitely. Katie Scanlon, thank you for being my physics partner forever and for splitting snacks with me while we talk the whole class and annoying the teacher. We have such a similar sense of humor, and if I had to talk to someone for 24 hours straight nonstop, I would pick you because I think I’ll never run out of things to say to you. I loved taking silly Halloween Polaroids together and
swapping stories of the stupid things our brothers do. I wouldn’t have made it this far through the school year if it hadn’t been for you, and I can’t wait to hang out with you more.
To Elle Manning, Lilah Yoder, Maylee Ohlman, and Victoria, you all make my second hour eternally more enjoyable. I’m not sure how I would make it through APUSH without you guys, and you’re the perfect group of people to both goof around with and to get work done. I don’t know what I’ll do without you guys next semester but thank you for always being there to brighten my day. To Priya Mahabir, Evalyn Linnert, Charlize Theron, Lily McMartin, Maja Vidinlick, and Katie, thank you for always keeping me entertained during lunch and physics; I’ll never get tired of your stories. I always have someone to go through the lunch line with and someone to laugh with me over the stupidest things.
To room 139 and everyone in it
I want to thank everyone on staff who is constantly there to help and just be the ray of sunshine at the end of my day. Sofia, you are one of the most talented writers I know, and I can’t imagine the class without you as the editor. Addy, thank you for teaching us about the podcast and giving us the opportunity to run it; your optimism always makes sixth hour better. Eva H., even though you’re not in class often, you bring a light to the classroom that no one else does. I love your stories, and I can’t wait to see what else you write.
Arpita, you exude sunshine everywhere you go and brighten people’s days, and you can always think of new creative story ideas that would’ve never crossed my mind. Alysse, your writing constantly astounds me. I didn’t know it was possible for someone to excel in writing every story type, but you prove me wrong with every new article. You’re the jack of all trades and one of the nicest people I have met; I can’t wait to see what you write next. Eva L., you probably don’t remember, but last year in Writing for Publication, we swapped stories, and I edited one of your columns. I was immediately intimidated by what a good writer you were and still are, and I’m always excited to read one of your stories. Your tireless commitment to the class and everyone in it is admirable, and I hope that wherever you go, people will appreciate you as much as we all do. Mikayla, you have such a passion for life, and it always shines through in your writing; you have a strong voice, and I hope it sticks with you. Tilley, thank you for always being a friendly face in sixth hour and sticking true to yourself. Saniya, last year, first semester, we had to share a seat together on the bus, and I never spoke a word to you; when I read your stories for the first time, I was amazed by your intelligence and how smart you sound in all of your writing. I can’t believe we hadn’t spoken until this class, and I hope you continue to write after you leave because you have a skill for it.
It’s weird to think that we’ve only been friends for four years. We first met in sixth grade when planning a wedding for two of our classmates, and you decided to befriend me while I was at the peak of my awkward phase. When quarantine ended, and I started a new and unfamiliar school, you were the familiar face I relied on in band class. Thanks to you, I have hundreds of stories from that class and, similarly, hundreds of hours using Facetime. I would call you about everything, and although we don’t call as much anymore, I can still tell you about anything. I have literally a thousand pictures you took and selfies of you in my camera roll, and I never would’ve taken this class if it wasn’t for us taking a risk and signing up together. In these past years, my life has changed a lot, but you’ve been a constant friend through all of it; you always catch me on my mistakes—and often ruthlessly make fun of me for them—but my life wouldn’t be the same without you, so thank you.
You were one of the first people I met when I moved here in second grade. I was scared and had no friends, and although it took a few years (seven) for us to become good friends, it was worth the time it took. Our friendship has evolved from making fake laptops and phones in my basement to writing stories together and crying over late work. You always let me french braid your hair, no matter how bad it turns out, and you always manage to make me laugh. Last year, before freshman year started, we ran into each other at Target while back-to-school shopping, and while it was awkward then, if it happened now, I would go up to you and talk with you for the rest of the time. I never would’ve imagined that we would become such good friends. I’ve laughed with you, and I’ve cried with you, and you’re the perfect person to do both with. 
Ellerie Knowles
I honestly can’t remember when we met or how we became friends; all I know is that we just instantly clicked. You are quite possibly the kindest person I know, and your cheeriness and confidence in life constantly inspire me. I’m so glad you rejoined the class because sixth hour wouldn’t be the same without you sitting to my right. I love talking with you at the start of each day and walking to math together. You always lend me two dollars when I forget my money for donuts, and I genuinely think it’s impossible for someone to dislike you. You’re so smart, and I think you underestimate yourself because you’re one of the best people I know, and you should believe it.
To my teachers
Mr. Pierce, I don’t like math, at all, but you make it interesting and I’m (almost) never bored in first hour, despite being exhausted. I’ve never met anyone as passionate about proofs as you are, and you leave a lasting impact on all of your students.
Mr. Labenz, before this year, if you had asked me if it was possible to enjoy APUSH, I probably would’ve said no. I’ve put a grueling number of hours into this class, and while I don’t always love history, you still find a way to make the class entertaining. I don’t know how you deal with all of us and how you’ve done it for so many years, I’m so glad I get to have you as a teacher, and I don’t think I would still be taking APUSH if you weren’t the teacher.
Mrs. Stone, I don’t think I’ve ever met a teacher as excited about their subject as you are, and it’s really refreshing to see. I never thought I could enjoy physics, but you’ve made this class great, and I understand why so many people love you.
Señora Stacey, coming into this year, I had heard great things about you as a teacher and a person, and you lived up to all my expectations. I love your sense of humor and your jokes, even if most of the class doesn’t laugh at them.
Mr. George, this class has honestly changed my life. I know you talk all the time about wanting to make a difference for every student and to motivate them, and you’ve done that for me. I can’t imagine anyone but you teaching TCT, and even though you get on my nerves occasionally, like all teachers, you’re one of my favorite teachers I’ve ever had. You bring energy to both third and sixth hour, that gives me motivation, and although you’ve told a million bald jokes, I still think you’re pretty funny. I can’t wait for the next two and a half years.
