I am thankful for everyone in my life; you all have given me something to be grateful for. Even if I didn’t mention your name, I am still thrilled to have the privilege of knowing you all in my first 15 years of life. Now, it’s time to name-drop. 

To the OG’s, Abby, Cora, and Annaliese

Thank you, Abby, for letting me sit with you at lunch on the first day of 7th grade, and thank you for dealing with my awkwardness when I was nervous to make friends. You were one of my first friends after transferring schools, grades, and states, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Even though we, unfortunately, have had no classes together these past two years and are slowly spending less time together, I still appreciate every moment we see each other, whether it’s just smiling in the hallway or our new high school tradition of dress shopping before school dances. My life has changed these past years, and you’ve been a constant buddy through everything. Thank you for always helping me with math whenever I need it and just always being there if I need a friend to talk to.

Thank you, Cora, for being my ride-or-die and being my hype woman. Even though we’ve only known each other for three years, I feel like I’ve known you my entire life. I am so glad you came to our lonely lunch table that one day in 7th grade. While I’d like to forget lots from that time in my life, I never want to forget you. You’re the one I go to if I need outfit advice or I’m having friendship troubles; you’re always willing to listen and pretend like I am not out of my mind. I am thankful for your never-ending cheeriness; I don’t know how you do it. I would never have signed up for this class if you hadn’t convinced me to do it with you, and I thank you for being so adamant about it. My life would be very different without you in it. You are my favorite lowkey bussin’ and pop-off slay queen. 

Thank you, Annaliese, for being the sweetest and choosing to sit with us every other week in 7th grade. Even though we don’t see each other much anymore, I enjoy the time I spend with you. I am thankful for your tranquil demeanor; your personality is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for throwing the best pool parties and having the best taste in snacks. You never judge me, and I feel like I can be myself around you. It’s not every day that someone makes such a positive impression; I am grateful we got introduced. I am so glad life brought us together, and I am so thankful I can call you my friend. 

To the best pepper partner, Kayla

Thank you, Kayla, for being a consistent volleyball buddy. I loved all our years in middle school, and thank you for becoming friends with me even when I was weird. I still cringe at old pictures and videos of us. You are an amazing volleyball player and have improved so much since our middle school days. I miss being pepper partners with you, and I cannot wait to see you flourish in your volleyball abilities during club season and, hopefully, the varsity team for school; my fingers are crossed! Thanks for being my personal chauffeur now that you have your license. 

To my more recent besties, Caroline and Lily

Thank you, Caroline, for being kindhearted and always thinking of others above yourself. Thank you for being a volleyball buddy on the freshman team. I have enjoyed our lunch tables over the past two years, and I am so glad we have a class together. You are beautiful inside and out; I am grateful you are a part of my life. Thank you for being you.

Thank you Lily for being so bubbly and energetic, I envy your constant excitement about everything. Your outfits are always on point and your hair always seems like it’s hairing. I love hanging out with you at the football games and school dances. Thank you for bringing sunshine and excitement to my day. 

To my barn bestie, Lena

Thank you, Lena, for simply existing and being such a joyful presence in my life. I laugh harder with you than I laugh with anyone else. Your endless enthusiasm and pride are something I can never take for granted. Thank you for always encouraging me to go for it and stick up for what I believe in and teaching me that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I love having someone I can relate to and empathize with each other about what we’ve been through and offer comfort when it is needed. I love riding horses with you and thank you for always reminding me that the world doesn’t end when I have a terrible day or a bad ride. The world is a better place with you in it. 

To the best horse I could ever ask for, Viña

Thank you, Viña, for being the best horse to ever exist. You have taught me so much, and you have learned so much as well. Thank you for helping me build confidence, teaching me not to let my feelings impact others, and keeping me in check when I get too over-confident about my abilities.  I appreciate how forgiving you have been with all the mistakes I’ve made training my first-ever off-the-track thoroughbred to become a hunter jumper. You try your little heart out in everything you do; I will always be grateful for that. I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to ride you. I love you to the ends of the Earth, Viña; you’re one of the best parts of my life. 

To my second family, all my barn buddies

Thank you Kat for trusting me to ride your horse, and for spending all your time and expertise on my riding abilities, I appreciate your patience when I get anxious trying new things. And thank you for teaching me how to be a better person with your infamous life lessons. 

Thank you Taylor aka T for being so fun and positive, and for always taking me to polo and trusting me to groom your horses for you. Thank you for giving me stick and ball lessons on Butter, and for just always being there to listen to the newest tea. 

Thank you, Cait, for hosting our amazing monthly movie nights (even if they don’t actually happen every month) and for empathizing with me when I am struggling with my confidence. 

Thank you Lisa for being a barn bestie and always being the kindest. I am never afraid to talk to you about something and you are always willing to listen to Lena and I’s rants. 

Thank you, Claire, for being so fun and hilarious. You are improving so much in your riding abilities. Thank you for being another reason I enjoy going to the barn. 

Thank you, Caitlin, for always being a supportive queen. Your constant enthusiasm is contagious. Thank you for being such a good listener and always acting interested in what I say, even if you might not really be. 

Thank you, Demi, for being a voice of reason when I might get carried away. Thank you for being so supportive and always helpful when I need advice, whether it’s improving my riding skills or helping me figure out what to say in difficult situations.

Thank you, Tracy, for sharing a wonderful horse with me and always supporting my progress. I appreciate how relaxed you always seem, and thank you for always being on top of scheduling camping trips and trips to ride our horses on Lake Michigan. 

To other friends who deserve a shout-out, Evelyn, Addie, Ella, and Rosa

Thank you Evelyn for just always being there, like literally. You’ve always been there but I wouldn’t have considered you my friend until this year. Thank you for laughing with me about how terrible we are in Spanish and whispering answers for our vocab quiz. Thanks for buying that winter coat for our field trip the night before, even if it was a little big. I look up to you a lot, thank you for being such an inviting and kind person.

Thank you Addie M. for being so sweet and always happy. I am so glad you could come to homecoming with us and that the restaurant situation finally worked out, even if I had to call a thousand different places. You are so fun to talk to and your outfits are always on point.

Thank you Ella for being my big fish in this class and always giving me the best feedback on my stories. You are so supportive and always make me feel like my stories are really good (even if they actually suck). Thank you for always saying “hi” to me when you see me. Your amazing talents for writing inspire me, thank you for being you.

Thank you Rosa for saving me in our APES class, I don’t think I would be able to survive without having you to talk to, even if we never get put at the same table. I am so glad I met you this year, I am glad that you sit at the same lunch table and we can get mad at Lily because she never finished her stories.

To my favorite cheer squad, Charlie, Archie, Hazel

Thank you Charlie for being my first dog, I always dreamed of being a dog owner and you made that dream come true. Thank you for comforting me when I need it and for protecting me from “threats,” even if it’s just a leaf falling outside or a squirrel in the backyard. 

Thank you, Hazel, for being the sweetest, most innocent little fluff ball of a dog. I love it when you give tiny little nose kisses, run away from your leash if no one is holding it, and stretch out your back legs when you’re hot after a long walk. All of these are what make you the princess you are.

Thank you, Archie, for being an all-around good dog. 

Thank you for coming out of your shell and learning that not all humans are scary. You and Hazel have had a rough past, but now you’re safe with us, and I’m thankful for that. 

To the teachers who make my school day better, Señora Stacey and Mr. George

Thank you, Señora Stacey, for always saying “hi” to me in the hallways and being the best Spanish teacher ever. Even though I, unfortunately, do not have my Spanish class with you this year, I thoroughly enjoyed both my years in your class in the past. Thank you for understanding that things in a different language don’t just sound “right,” and for always having the best ways to teach tricky stuff. I think you should teach AP Spanish next year (wink wink) so that I can be in your class. 

Thank you, Mr. George, for being the first teacher to know my nickname so quickly and not question it like everyone else does. You’re one of the few teachers who don’t make me nervous to talk about my weekend with or ask for help if needed. When I decided to sign up for this class, it was solely because I knew many people who were taking it, but I always thought I hated writing, so I only chose to take it for a semester. Lo and behold, thanks to your amazing teaching and enthusiasm this class is one I can easily the highlight of my day. I regret not choosing to take it for the full year, but I know I will definitely be back next year. Thank you for having a sense of humor and for making me love to write again. 

To my biggest fans, Dad & Mom

Thank you, Dad, for being the best dad anyone could ever ask for and more. You always put your priorities in front of mine, even though yours are just as important. Thank you for supporting all my horse-riding endeavors, for driving me around everywhere whenever I need, and for giving up many of your weekends to watch me ride. Thank you for always trying your best to make me happy and for your endless support in everything. When I wanted to start a small business, you gave me all the guidance and knowledge I needed to be successful. I aspire to be as caring, funny, loving, and successful as you are. I am who I am because of you. I love you forever, bro. 

Thank you, Mom, for being the best Disney buddy and for loving the dogs as much as I do. Some of my favorite memories with you are when you would pull me out of school while we lived in Florida, and we would drive to Orlando to spend the weekend at Disney. Thank you for convincing Dad to allow us to have dogs and for endlessly taking care of them. Thanks for comforting me and always making sure my needs are met. I love you, and thank you. 

To all my past homes, Florida & Minnesota

Thank you, Florida, for teaching me how to live; I spent the majority of my childhood with you. I learned many lessons, such as dealing with people you might not always agree with, putting yourself out there, and making new friends. Thank you for giving me many amazing friends, who I might not be as close with anymore, but I will still remember them for the rest of my life. Thank you, Lara, Eli, Talulah, Kamryn, Alex, and Kate, for being a few of the ones who made a lasting impression on the person I am today. 

Thank you, Minnesota, for building me a foundation for my first six years of life and being the state I was born in. It’s an honor to tell people I haven’t lived in the same place my whole life. No matter how mad I was about leaving you, I can’t hold it against you; you gave me so many great things. To the house in Minnesota, thank you for being the place where I could take my first steps, say my first words, and make my first friends. Thank you, Halle, for being a friend I could always count on and being the first person to teach me what having a real friend was like. 

Thank you, everyone, for impacting me in any way, shape, or form.