To Lily, for your near-daily Pusheen the Cat texts

There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t miss your witty remarks and endless laughs. Each day when I return home from school, I fully expect to find you playing Hay Day and badgering me to join the derby or cooking your concoction of mac and cheese with weird seasoning on the stove. Although I know you are enjoying college in Vermont, I can’t wait for you to be home in only a few days now! I’ll make sure that we watch plenty of Christmas movies and drink hot chocolate, as well as many visits to Grandma Rosie’s house. I miss and love you more than words can express.

To Pop, for everything I am

I’m afraid there is nothing that I can say to express my gratitude to you, but I’ll try my best. Thank you for always listening to every single detail about my day when you come home from work. Thank you for taking care of me when I’m too burnt out to make a meal. Thank you for supporting me in my endeavors, whether they be big or small. Thank you for being my Pop and not just my father. I cherish every excursion we venture on in every given moment of the day. You make me better in every translation and definition of the word. 

To Grandma Rosie, for listening to me ramble

Whether it be a casual Sunday or a stressful Thursday, I know I can always count on you to cheer me up. Even if I go on a rant about my school day or how I can never seem to get my front aerial, you’re always there to offer an intellectual response and comfort me. I love watching Dancing With The Stars with you and baking/cooking up the most recent recipe you’ve found online. Thank you for laughing with me and checking up with me. I love you so much.

To Boots, for being the best cat

Boots. Bootsie. Booters. You’ve been in my life forever, and I can’t imagine it without you. Whenever I visit, I always get infinitely happier when I see you around the corner to the living room, often meowing at the top of your lungs nowadays. You are, by far, the cutest cat I’ve ever laid eyes on. I love playing with you and bringing you catnip toys. You are an amazing listener, and although you can’t speak English, I can tell you understand me regardless. I’m so grateful you’re in my life.

To Evelyn, for fangirling with me

Every day in fifth hour, I always get so excited when I see you walk through the door. I am so grateful that I signed up for TCT and got placed in the same APUSH fourth hour with you last year. You are someone I know I can trust entirely through anything. I admire your wonder for the world and your endless excitement over the presidents (especially Taft). We’ve become fast friends over the past few months, and I couldn’t be more excited for the future. Thank you for screaming over Little Women, Dead Poets Society, and Notting Hill with me. I’m forever in awe of you. I love you so.

To Addie, for making me laugh, cry, and smile

Even though I’ve been asking for my Paddington hat back for a couple of weeks now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. From bonding over our dislike for chemistry last year to panicking over Algebra 2 quizzes, we’ve become great friends, and I couldn’t be more grateful for you. You offer me comfort when I need it and reaffirm my confidence when it runs away from me again. I, in turn, will always do the same for you. Thank you for making me laugh to tears more times than I can count and making me watch Scott Pilgrim vs. The World with you (you were right; it’s really good). Whenever you’re around, I’m happier in the knowledge that I can always confide in you. I’m so thankful for you.

To Ellerie, for endless sunshine 

I truly think it’s impossible not to smile when I talk to you. You are the sunniest and kindest person I know, and I couldn’t be more thankful for our friendship. I love listening to your daily stories and talking about dance, TCT, and everything in between. I couldn’t be happier that we are Managing Editors of Publicity together this year. Your effervescence is contagious, and I immediately become joyous whenever you’re around. I’m so grateful for you. 

To Elle, for being yourself

My favorite first editor! I’m forever indebted to you for tackling the challenge of first editing all my stories. Thank you for sharing your feedback and kindness with me. Although we’ve known each other since elementary school, I must say our friendship blossomed right when I needed it. You are hard-working, funny, and effortlessly stylish. I’m so glad I have someone to talk to about first-hour AP World, book club, Letterboxd, and how behind we both are on our Goodreads challenges. I wouldn’t want to go through junior year without you.

To Ellie, for helping me realize I am not alone

I distinctly remember the third day of sixth grade. Mrs. Peneycad paired me up with you because I’d missed the first two days, so you had to help me tab my notebooks. I had no friends in that class, so I just kept running up to you at recess, and somehow, you let me stick around. We’ve been best friends for five years now, and I hope it will continue for a long time. Through me panicking over a homework assignment I don’t understand or crying over a book that broke my heart, you’ve always been there for me. I admire your resilience and idiosyncratic behaviors more than you know (like how you can’t stand melted cheese or the smell of paint). I look forward to seeing you every day, and that will never change. I trust you fully. I love you eternally.

To Ella, for being energetic and fun

It was in the last year that I became endlessly grateful for you. Each time I’ve talked to you, you always make me smile with your wit and boundless energy. I adore our shared enthusiasm for La La Land and every music artist we both listen to. I can’t wait for next semester, with many more hours spent in the podcast room and many more moments laughing with you. You inspire me to be a better writer, and I can’t thank you enough for your guidance and charm over the past months. I’m exhilarated to spend the rest of high school with you.

To Ayla Wood and Molly Colpean, for making APES infinitely more exciting

I’m so glad we all have been lab partners for the past month. Not only do we all get our work done in class, but we manage to find joy in the simplest things, whether that be Ms. Webster’s question of the day or talking about new developments in all of our lives. Each day in sixth hour, I end up laughing and smiling more than I thought possible in a science class because of you guys. I don’t think I’d be able to go through sixth hour without you guys, so thank you for being there to brighten my day.

To FHCVDT, for making me better

Over the past two years on dance team, I’ve cried over not being able to do a second turn, almost had my hair fall out in a showcase dance, and forgotten counts right after being corrected on it. However, all of these experiences have shaped me into the dancer I am today. Dance team pushed me to work for something like I never have before and made me appreciate being part of a team. I love screaming out favorite foods while dying practicing pom and learning new choreography. Each practice has brought me closer to everyone and educated me in ways I never thought possible. Crystal, thank you for encouraging me to work hard and believe in myself. Without your guidance, I know I never would have given myself grace and nailed my pom motions. I am forever grateful for your wisdom.

To the Kilwins crew for welcoming me 

On my first shift, I was incredibly scared. I had never worked in customer service before, and I had no clue how to operate behind the counter in an ice cream and chocolate shop. However, everyone welcomed me with open arms and an open heart. I learned how to converse with customers, scrape ice cream tubs, restock chocolates, make waffle bowls, and so much more. Even so, I love the job not only for its productivity but also for the friendships it’s provided me with. Gio, thank you for being the first to teach me the inner workings of Kilwins. You are smart, insanely funny, and kind. I can’t wait to work more shifts with you and watch the orchestra! Mikki, I get so excited whenever I see I get to work with you. You are the sweetest person I’ve met, and your joyous personality is one that I cherish. I love your passion for musical theater (you’re such a great singer)! I hope that I get to enjoy your company for many more shifts. Gina, thank you for being an excellent shift lead. Your leadership and unwavering confidence are things I look up to tremendously. I love listening to your stories and seeing your hair change every month or so. Julae, you are my queen! I treasure the time we spend polishing the chocolate case and handling a rush. You’re so expressive and funny, and I always am so excited to work with you. Eleanor, I miss working with you! You’re so fun to talk to, and I love hearing your stories from school. Brit and Rosalie, thank you for being the greatest managers I could ask for. Both of you care deeply about every employee, and I am so grateful for both of your kindnesses. 

To my teachers for always encouraging me

Mr. George, thank you for, without fail, making me happier to be in school. I appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness more than I can say. Thank you for letting me write my daily questions on the board (they are quite enjoyable) and for always letting me have a leftover donut on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your considerate nature is infectious, and I can’t wait for the rest of high school with you as my favorite teacher.

Ms. Webster, even though you’ve only been a teacher at FHC for a few months now, I can say with confidence that you are an incredible teacher and an even better person. Every time I walk into sixth hour, I’m invigorated by the challenge of finding the disguised frog in the slide. Thank you for your understanding and for giving me Smarties! Your kindness and humor does not go unappreciated. You make APES very enjoyable, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve learned so much from you and the class, and I can’t wait for the rest of the year.

Mr. Garbowitz, I think it’s quite obvious that I hate math with everything in me, yet, you still encourage me to try my best. Thank you for being understanding when I’m burnt out and talking about the current book I’m reading with me. You are one of the funniest teachers I’ve ever had, so thank you for making third hour bearable.

Señora Stacey, thank you for your sense of humor and passion for Spanish. Your passion makes me want to be better at the language. You are an amazing teacher. I always look forward to fourth hour.

Mr. George (Sr.), although you aren’t my teacher anymore, I can’t thank you enough for your support, even from Hope. Your encouragement and belief in me pushes me to look forward to each day, even though sometimes I feel like doing the exact opposite. Thank you for always being available to offer your words of wisdom and wonder. I’m glad you are enjoying coach/teacher life at Hope, but please come visit soon! Me and everyone else in TCT will always be endlessly excited to see you and hear about all your stories. I can’t wait for the college essay seminar next year.

To TCT, for everything and anything

I truly believe, with all of my heart, that this class has changed me for good. I was always curious about writing and developing my craft, but I was too scared to take the leap in freshman year. However, when signing up for sophomore-year classes, I knew I had to make a change. The idea of interviewing other people and sharing my thoughts publicly was daunting but exciting. Now, looking back, I’m so thankful that I pushed myself to step outside my comfort zone. In Room 139, I found my place in this school. Now relocated to Room 216, I can confidently say that my bond to TCT is stronger than ever. Each day, I get endlessly excited to enter a class where I can fully be myself. I feel motivated every day to do whatever I can for the site. Although the worn couches of Room 139 were a definite highlight of my TCT experience last year, the people are what have made this class imprinted on my soul. Rowan, thank you for being an incredible Editor-In-Chief and friend. You are endlessly knowledgeable and kind, and I can’t thank you enough. Alex, thank you for being understanding whenever I have a late story (I’m so sorry; I promise I’m working on it) and for humoring me when I need a laugh. Addie McDowell, you are a wonderfully effervescent person, and I can’t wait to see where life takes you. Monia, thank you for steadying me with your calmness and kindness. Kathryn, thank you for your hard work and dedication. I appreciate you immensely.

To me, again

Sometimes, I’m so grateful for others and the impact they have on me that I forget to be grateful for myself and how I’ve grown. Although this semester has been tough, I’ve persevered through every second of it, never letting myself lose hope. I have faith that with each day, I grow a little bit stronger and wiser, taking lessons from around me and applying them when needed. The perfectionist inside me is angry right now, but I’ve learned to let go of those tendencies and to instead focus on what’s important: my well-being. Rationality has been drilled into me since I was young, so I’m just now learning how to express myself creatively and love fiercely. When I was a child, my greatest wish was to find love, and I think I’ve found it. I’ve found it in myself, in my friends, in my family, and in every seemingly unimportant moment in my life. I’ve learned to look at the world as it can be, not only as it is. I feel prouder than ever of what I’ve done, and I’m eagerly anticipating everything for as long as I live.