To begin with, I would like to thank all of the TCT staff for giving me such an incredibly positive and supportive outlet to express my love for writing: Alex, Rowan, Evelyn, Addie M., Micah, Maylee, Elle, Monia, both Mr. Georges, Addie W., and all the wonderful 6th-hour TCT writers whom I am excited to get to know better in the coming years. Without a doubt, my time in room 216 has quickly become my favorite class among all the rest. 

To Sophia Haughey, for being my best friend through and through

There are few people—and by few, I mean no one other than my family members—who have been in my life for as long as you have. 

From the early days of making cringy iMovie productions, playing Super Mario Party for hours, beating our records on Just Dance 2015 or Disneyland Kinect Adventures, rollerblading to the park, and cooking terrible from-the-box pancakes with obscene amounts of food coloring, I have known that I had found my best friend for life. While our third-grade sequin shirts have now been swapped out and buried at the bottom of the closet, and we now look back at our old, over-the-top Halloween costumes and cringe, I am so happy to say that we have only grown closer since then. 

Thank you for all the Starbucks runs with me during the summer, the Quiplash rounds with me at midnights on spring break, for braving through the freezing cold hail and sleet during early soccer season with me, and, all in all, for always being there for me. Whether it’s to laugh over dumb TikToks or inside jokes until we can’t breathe, to bike around our neighborhood when we have nothing to do, to complain about APUSH together, or to talk on and on about anything that comes to mind, every day with you I make memories that I would never give up for the world. Thank you for being by my side through the good and the bad, through all types of weather. I am so lucky to have a best friend like you. Love you, Soph! 

To my brothers, Benjamin and Jacob, for being pretty cool 

While I don’t have many chances to remind you guys, I am so glad to have you two as my brothers.

Benjamin, although we argue, I illicitly appreciate the brain-rot Instagram reels you send me despite ridiculing them, and your stupid jokes are actually funny sometimes—I guess. Thank you for being a pretty good brother (most days). But just remember that even though you’re 27 minutes older than me, I’m still the better twin. 

Jacob, despite the fact that we now live five hours away from each other, you are still one of my biggest role models in every day of my life. I have looked up to you for as long as I can remember, and I am so lucky to have you as a big brother. From pillow-fighting with you when we were little and waiting for you to come home from school every day to watching all your high school hockey games and getting to see you live your best life at Miami, not only am I proud to be your sister, but I am so proud of you. I miss you so much, and I look forward to every time you come home from college. I guess, just like before, I’m still waiting for you to come home from school. 

To Fox Motors Hockey Club, for being my constant in a world full of inconsistency

A few years ago when I first joined Fox Motors, I have to admit I was weary of playing on an all-new girl’s team. Since then, I have never looked back. Having the opportunity to play with such devoted, passionate, and driven athletes has been a privilege beyond words. Not only have I blossomed as a player on the ice alongside my teammates, but I am reminded every practice, game, and tournament of what considerate and kindhearted players surround me every day. 

I would like to specifically thank the “Original 6” of us who have been playing together since we were twelve: Addie, for being one of the most incredible, bright teammates I have ever played with and for always amazing me with your insane speed. Meghan, for your unfailing ambition and craft on the ice. Zariya, for your comforting personality as a human and calmness as a defender. Anya, for being so unfailingly supportive and extremely hard-working. And Avery, for being such a persevering, funny, and caring person from when we were nine to the present day.

I cannot wait to continue playing hockey with you guys. It has been a blessing that continues to show itself in my life, and I am so insanely grateful for every time I get to step on the ice wearing the Fox Motors logo on my jersey. Roll Fox!  

To Leah Holser, for being such an incredible listener 

I am beyond grateful that we met in eighth grade because there are few people’s company whom I enjoy more than yours. Going over to your house to gossip for hours on end quickly became a much-awaited therapy session in the best way possible. Whether it’s playing card games, culminating ridiculous outfits on Dress to Impress, sharing our love for SZA, staying up way too late, or simply just a quick conversation here and there, I treasure every moment with you immensely, and I cannot wait to make more memories. I feel so fortunate to have such a positive person in my life that I can lean on, and I am constantly reminded of the empathy and optimism that you bring to life every day. Indubitably, I must thank you for being such an incredible friend without fail.

To RGSO for bringing me the best soccer family I could ask for 

As I’m sure those close to me have heard many times, I have spent most of this fall reminding everyone that “I cannot wait for the springtime because that’s when soccer season starts.” And, while I’m positive that many are probably sick of me ranting about my love for Ranger soccer, I would like to say just how proud I am to be a part of such a wonderful, hard-working, and close-knit community of players and coaches.

While I was initially nervous going into my first year on a varsity team, RGSO immediately felt like one big, motivated family. Every upbeat practice flew by under the guise of everyone’s enthusiasm, every game left me full of pride, and every team dinner and get-together was yet another thing to look forward to during the week. Even 20-calorie bike sprints in the weight room go by a little quicker when I’m surrounded by some of the best friends I’ve gotten to play alongside. On the field, I have been so blessed to be mentored by some of the most encouraging coaching staff I have ever played under: Coach Ashley, Coach Ryan, Coach Claire, Coach Natalie, and Coach Melissa.

I would like to especially send a thank you to my fellow four freshmen, with whom I am beyond excited to spend the rest of my high school career playing side by side: Sophia, for being my shin splint buddy and an amazingly distributive midfielder. Isla, thank you for your kindness and compassion off the field and your skill and versatility. Brooklyn, for being one of the best slide-tacklers and aggressive athletes I know and for always lightening every laborious practice. And Violet, for single-handedly being one of the most talented players I have ever met and an equally amazing person. 

Becoming #21 has been one of the best opportunities I have ever received, and I cannot wait for the next three years alongside such talented and positive athletes and coaching staff. Let’s go RGSO!

To Micah McClarty, for being both incredibly smart and incredibly kind

Although I’d like to think that I am somewhat on the smarter end of the spectrum, I have yet to meet someone as intelligent as you. Thank you for saving the day through the years in math when I can’t figure out for the life of me how to complete a problem—despite the fact that you can finish it with ease. But, beyond just your intellect, I am amazed every day at how you can light up every room you are in. Your warm personality and positive demeanor make some of the most mundane days full of sunshine, and every conversation I have with you feels so incredibly genuine and fun. Not to mention, your talent as an actress on stage is so immense I don’t think I will ever truly be able to comprehend it (how did you memorize that much for Alice in Wonderland in just one month? I have no clue.) Thank you for being such an amazing friend these past few years. I am so thankful for everything you do, big or small, that makes even the worst days better again.

To Nick Jovanovic, for the laughs, the patience, and the little things

As I walked into the library for a run-of-the-mill interview with you in January for my feature about driver training, I was initially expecting about three minutes of a standard, straightforward Q and A: five minutes, if I got extra lucky. In actuality, we spent about six minutes discussing the actual topic and another twenty laughing at each other’s company. And, nine months later, I am eternally grateful that you are now so much more than just my driver’s training interviewee. 

Upon my first impressions of you, I was immediately struck by your awe-inspiring talent to make people smile. Whether it was a witty joke in biology, a sneaky glance from across the room in civics, an offer to complete the New York Times connections with me, or a passing-period hallway walk spent in pleasant conversation, many of my happiest moments this year have been spent by your side. Beyond just your humor, it was and still remains to be your compassion, empathy, and joy that reminds me every day how lucky I am to have you (and, not to mention your willingness to pay for my Starbucks, Target, and restaurant runs, no questions asked.)

It is with the warmest of praise that I thank you for your remembrance of even the most minuscule details about me that no one else can recall. Thank you for remembering so quickly that I prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate, for memorizing my Tropical Smoothie order, for being my biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader in the bleachers at my soccer games, and for being so patient with me even when I’m complaining about something that won’t matter in twenty minutes—for being my “Moon River,” my forever school dance date, my partner in crime, my best friend, and one of the most caring, kindhearted individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing. 

I am so incredibly thankful for every good morning and goodnight, every compliment, every smile, every laugh, and every day I spend being your girlfriend. Thank you forever and always!

To my parents, for your endless support and charity

While I do not give you guys enough credit, I am so thankful for everything you do for me. 

Mom, your unfailing generosity and empathy for us kids despite having worked the entire day (or having to deal with us being unnecessarily snarky) is an act of sacrifice for which I am so grateful. From doing our laundry and making us dinner to tolerating our bickering or answering our repetitive questions, I am reminded daily how fortunate I am to be your daughter. It’s not just what you do but how you do it—with kindness, patience, and a love that seems boundless. I can only hope to carry forward even a fraction of the selflessness and compassion you show us every day.

Dad, your positivity and benevolence are aspects of being your daughter that I am absolutely delighted to have in my life. I would like to thank you so much for every moment you spend giving up your free time to coach me in hockey, mentoring me on the roads while I drive, dealing with my dramatics, singing along to Christmas music with me in the car, giving me incredible advice, and being the best dad in the whole wide world. I am so grateful to be your little girl, and I don’t know what I would have done without your direction in my life. 

Although I don’t say it enough, I love you more than anything, and I could not have asked for better parents. 

Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!