To my wonderful parents, for being my everything

I wish there were enough ways to tell you how much you have saved my life repeatedly. Through all of my battles, obstacles, and mental challenges, being able to have parents to rely on is an honor to have. You guys always make me feel valid in a world full of imperfections, and without both of you, I don’t know if I would be where I am today. To my gorgeous mother Natalie Roelfzema, you are my rock: a balance of all forces I can rely on. At the peak of my struggles, you were the final pull out of the deep waters. Making me healthy and strong again is the greatest gift you have ever given me, through every cry, sleepless night, and mental breakdown, you have sat right by my side and let me know it will all be okay. You have been a mentor to me and many others, since growing up when I had spent hours in a gym watching you coach young athletes on how to improve in their game. Though I swore I would never play, you supported me either way. Even though my stubbornness created a late start, you have guided me through everything volleyball, and for that I am grateful. I love how present you are in my life, on any given day you can recite a memory you have of me when I was a little kid. Whether I am dancing and singing in the car to One Direction or yelling at Dad for saying “poopy” in a song, there is not one silly thing that I have forgotten. Even though you sometimes use that to embarrass me at family gatherings, I know you have always loved and cared for me, past, present, and future. To the most supportive man in my life, David Roelfzema. To the man who has the most compassion and grace towards any person. You have given me a role model to look up to, I aspire to be like you every day. You work so hard for what you want, not only for yourself but for your four children. Even though you think I don’t watch every silly TikTok you send me, I do. I appreciate the words of advice you give me. Every day is filled with compassion and love, you have never made me second guess your love for me. I enjoy the times we spend together, whether you’re taking me shopping at Five Below or we are driving around listening to music, you make every moment fun. I am so thankful for you and thank you for being someone I aspire to be. I love both of you.

To my friends I have made at school, for always being there for me

There are not enough words to describe my love for these people, their constant examples of kindness and gratitude have given me a positive outlook in life.

Leah Holser, you are a burst of energy at every moment, your consistency in showing up for me has been like no other. Before first hour Algebra in Mrs. Lipke’s first-semester class I had never formally talked to you. Although we weren’t friends until the second semester, I admired how polite and respectful you were, you are a great example to all. I was so excited when we first started becoming friends, you pushed me to excel in a class I didn’t think I would be very good at, and I could always rely on you when I was confused. I am so thankful you invited me over to your house that day to hang out, and I am so glad I can call you a best friend. I know you will always have my back in any situation, and I love how I can tell you about anything. I am so thankful for every ride to football games, all the jokes you make, and how you are never afraid to be yourself. You are a great example to everyone around you. Love you, twin!

Leah Griffin, I remember the days in fifth grade when our group of friends would hang out by the swing set and talk about how we all had a crush on the same boy. I enjoy reminiscing on these days talking days with you because, from that whole group of girls, you’re the only one I still talk to. I remember that one birthday party where we made slime and watched All the Boys We Loved Before; it was a night to remember. Although it was forever ago, remembering old times will always make me laugh. The days we hang out always make me the happiest, our indecisive decisions and how we buy everything in sight make the say all the more fun. You’re such a good friend to me and I couldn’t imagine a life without you in it. Thank you for always supporting me through everything I choose to do, I can’t wait to make more memories with you! Love you lots!!

Aubrey Hibma, although we haven’t been friends for very long, you have quickly shown me how sweet of a person you are. I first met you in 7th grade on our volleyball team but didn’t connect with you till Mrs. Lipkes’s Second-semester algebra class. You are so funny, compassionate, and just a great example to lead by. I never knew how close we would get but I am so glad God put you in my life when I needed you the most. My favorite thing about you is how good of a listener you are. When I was crying about my unfortunate haircut, you stayed and talked to me in the photo until I felt better. Now we laugh about that moment because although it was dumb you never made me feel an ounce of stupidity for crying over something so superficial. I enjoy every moment with you. I love you tons!!

Zoe, even though you thought I was weird in seventh grade, I am so grateful for how close we have become. I remember our freshman year homecoming football game where the air was frigid, and the ground was covered in muddy puddles. We had just become close through our volleyball team and had yet to hang out. Instead of leaving me there, you invited me to come hang out with your friends so I wouldn’t freeze to death. That night was so fun, I knew I would cherish our friendship forever. I love how funny you are, in any moment of sadness or anxiety, you always make me laugh. Although I get annoyed sometimes when you make me give you arm tickles at our sleepovers, I find it hilarious how adamant you are. I am so thankful that you are in my life, and I can’t wait to continue our friendship in the years to come. Love you!!

To my siblings, for being my support system

I know siblings are not supposed to have favorites, but because I don’t think any of you will take time out of your day to read this, I am going to start with my favorite siblings. 

Kadence. To my sister, maid of honor, and role model: I look up to you, being four years older than me I always thought you were so much cooler than me. When Dad and I were looking on his computer through old photos I found a letter you had written to me when you were about seven. You talked about how you wanted me to leave you and all of your neighborhood friends alone and how maybe when I am older I will have friends like yours. I can confidently say that you were right. But I am so thankful for how close we have become recently, I miss our long talks on car rides and how we used to hangout for fun, but now that you are away at college I can’t help but hope we don’t drift apart like we did when we were younger. I love you so much, sis, and I can’t wait to see you blossom into the person you are supposed to be. I can’t wait for more drives and sleepovers in your dorm. Thank you for not only being my sister, but my best friend.

Keyan, I know we fight quite often but I am so thankful you are my older brother. Being a year older than me I always have thought of you as a person I can look up to. To be honest I am scared for when you leave the house and go away from college. You have always been the grade above me, meaning that next year will be the last year we will ever be at the same school. I already know how successful you will become, and I can’t wait to see what you will do in the future! Love you.

Kolden, you are the most creative person I have ever met. I know sometimes you get on my nerves, but I want you to know how grateful I am that you are my little brother. I love how when you put your mind to something you are so determined to get it done. Your mind is filled with more ideas and inventiveness than I could ever have. You have a humor like no other, I am excited to see you grow up because I already know you will do great things. Love you! 

To all of my WFP classmates, for giving me friendships I didn’t know I needed

Although I already wrote about three of my classmates, I want to give a special thank you to all of the rest of WFP. Brooke, I first met you at school volleyball tryouts in the summer but was formerly introduced when we had both English and Writing for Publication together. I have quickly realized how great of a writer you are, and more importantly, how great of a friend you are. I can’t wait to continue our friendship in the upcoming years, thank you for being an amazing classmate. Kellan, I love sharing three classes with you, you are incredibly sweet and a great listener. Throughout high school, we have had so many moments together, whether it was when we were listening to Christmas music in geometry and couldn’t stop laughing at the cringy lyrics, or when we were expressing our shared feeling of being scared for the future. I am so glad we are friends! Katty, you are an amazing writer. You have shown your delightful personality repeatedly throughout the years I have known you. I’ll miss the memories we have together on the volleyball court but I hope we can make just as many on TCT. Cora, I remember when we were younger and in the same small group for Sunday school, you always had the best drawing and were always the most attentive. You are still that way now. Your stories always come out as perfectly written and you are never disruptive in class. I admire you for that, so, I hope you continue to write because you are great at it. Nate, I did not know you very well before this class, but you have quickly become a guy I would consider a friend. Being the only freshman guy in the class, I know you were a little bit forced to talk to all of us sophomore girls, but I am so thankful for your positive attitude and funny spirit. You bring a lot of good personality to the class. Sophia, I admire how you are never afraid to speak your mind. I greatly appreciate all the times you and Brooke have listened to all my problems I spring on both of you in the middle of class. I love reading all of your writing, you are seriously amazing. Sydney, I enjoy all of the stories you have and how you take up the whole whiteboard to come up with ideas for your stories. You are so funny, Sydney, and I hope we can become closer in the future because you are such a sweet human being. All of the rest, I don’t know you guys very well, but all of you are extraordinary writers, and I am so excited to see the rest of you guys grow. 

To volleyball, for being a constant in my life during all of the change

I have known this sport since I was young; my mom, aunt, and sister all played. I never knew how much I appreciated the afternoons I spent watching my mom practice or the long tournament weekends I watched my sister play until I was the one playing. If were to ask my mom, she would say “Ky never wanted to play,” but as middle school approached my change of mind transformed my life forever. This sport has given me friendships and a thing to work hard at. I have dedicated much of my life to this sport and I am so beyond grateful for my ability to continue to work hard and play every day. I want to give a special thank you to three girls I have met through volleyball, Tana Reehl, Ella Johnson, and Quinn Hoxworth. Coach Joey’s team will be a season I will never forget. Although we didn’t win very much, the bonds and drive we all had for the game kept me to continue loving this sport every day. Thank you guys for being my best friends on and off the court, and I hope to see you guys again soon. Another thank you to my favorite freshmen Keegan Thomas and Ava Morgan. Love you all!