To all the people who have stayed by my side despite my imperfections:
Kayla, you have always been the sweetest to me and are one of the few friends with which I have never gotten into a disagreement. Since we became friends halfway through eighth grade, you have made sure to be the best friend possible to me. I aim to return the favor and demonstrate my love to you. You show me support in so many ways and have helped me get through things that would have been impossible without someone like you to keep me going. I love you so much, and I am grateful you chose me as your best friend.
Kylin, you are the most beautiful soul inside and out. I always wonder how you manage to withstand a kind personality. You know how to make me feel confident in myself, and you know how to support me. I’m so grateful to have gotten the pleasure of having you as my friend. You are always there for me when I need someone to talk to. You are reliable and understanding. I love you so much. Zoe, thank you to Econ for surmising our friendship. I will never forget listening to music and talking while we struggled to understand the concepts. We do not get to hang out much outside of school, but when we do, it is monumental. I will cherish the memories of the scary Old People movie and our essential plan for when we would come under attack. Thank you for being the joy in my otherwise dull life. I appreciate you so much, and I love you so much.
Fifth Hour, thank you for all the wonderful memories and special conversations I get to be included in. Each daily question allows me to learn more about everyone and feel a greater sense of community while at school. I struggle with connecting with other students, but in this class, I have always felt at ease. This has been the best class I have taken throughout my school years. I am excited to come back to it later in my high school career.
Thank you, Mr. George, for being a great teacher who makes attending school each day better. You are one of the most understanding teachers and know what it is like to be in high school and struggling with problems, drama, and grades. Thank you for providing a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable with each other, and I think everyone can agree that you are one of the best teachers. I will genuinely be upset when I no longer have you as a teacher next semester; however, I am looking forward to being a part of your class senior year once again. Mr. Sultini, Thank you for being a humorous teacher who makes learning exciting and fun. The way you teach benefits my learning, and I am so grateful. Thank you for connecting with your students and making your class a more safe and communicative environment. I am so lucky to have been placed in your class, and I am excited for the rest of the year. Señora Stacey, Thank you for being a teacher who understands that learning a different language is challenging. Learning in your class is enjoyable and feels safe. I do feel welcomed, and when I don’t understand something, I do not feel dumb since I know how to assure students that they are not crazy for not understanding.
Leah, my day one. You have known me before I even knew myself. Each memory we have together dating back to first grade when we first discovered the proximity between our two houses remains prominent in my brain. You, without a doubt, know me the best. My favorite everything and my least favorite everything. My ups, my downs, and overall, you know me. I call you my “best friend,” but you’re much more. You are the twin sister I never had and my other half, who I couldn’t live without. Emily, you are the little sister I never got to have. You are the funniest person I know, and I have enjoyed growing up with you. Thank you for being a safe place for me and a person who can tell me the truth.
Avery, you have the brightest smile imaginable. No matter how things are going for you, you wear a smiling proudly, shining upon each other person surrounding you. I am so grateful to have you as a best friend. Even if we share no classes or spend less time together due to a voracious schedule, you remain a key person in my life. You are always there, checking on me and maintaining my well-being. I love you with all my heart. Cora, I am so grateful for math class and having someone to share my music with and laugh with while trying to understand proofs. You are very generous since you always give me your food, and I love you for that. You have a gorgeous laugh and smile. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have you as my friend.
Alex, I love you as a younger sister loves her older sister. I love the comfort of knowing you are right next to me, sitting in your house, although you are going to college soon. You are my role model. You always get so many tasks done and are a predominant figure in many activities. You have set the image of who I want to be, and I am so grateful for you. I love to think back on the days we would spend outside together playing make-believe. Since then, I have always wanted to be your best friend, and I am proud to say you are mine.
Annaliese, Abby, Addie, Paulie, Aiden, Audrey, Yahvi, and Emmy, thank you for being there for me during the theater and welcoming me into your group. I am always scared going into the theater that I won’t have people to hang around with, but you guys are always there. So, thank you for being my friends and being a part of memories that will forever be in my head.
Sydney, I am so grateful for lacrosse season for bringing you into my life. I got to meet and get to know you through it. You are the strongest person I know, without a doubt. You know the right thing to say and exactly when to say it. I can think of numerous times when I needed advice, and you delivered. Sometimes, I feel like you know what I am thinking more than I know what I am thinking myself. I’m so proud of being friends with you for so long, and I love all of the memories I have with you; each one is so different because you are so spontaneous. Golf cart or Jetski rides, or just meeting up and drama dumping. Addie, you are the only person with whom I can study and remain on task. I love talking with you while shuffling through my APUSH papers and notes. I’m so grateful for fifth-hour math last year and for getting the opportunity to learn what an amazing person you are. You are genuinely one of the kindest people I know, and you inspire me to work harder.
Hayeon, you are the sweetest person I know. I will never understand how one person can be so smart and perfect, but you exist, so somehow it is true. You are my academic and social role model. I am so grateful that I have you in my APUSH class. If you were not there, I would not be able to make it through. Micah, I love how confident you are. You are an excellent actress, and getting the opportunity to do theater with you is amazing. I love talking with you and smiling at you when I see you in the halls before the first hour. You are my favorite person ever, and I love you so much.
Ellie and Teagan, thank you for giving me people to talk to in the fourth hour. On the first day of school, I remember how relieved I was that you both were in my class. I honestly do not know what I would do without you. Thank you for including me in your conversations, no matter how informational and dramatic they are. I love talking while we do our work and trying to balance work and drama. You two are the sweetest people ever, and I am so grateful for both of you and the opportunity to know you.
Mom, thank you for always being there for me and supporting me through each of my activities. Thank you for always showing up for me and handling my differing attitudes. You know what it means to be a supportive parent, and I am so grateful for that because so many people do not get that opportunity. Dad, thank you for all of the hard work you do for me and the family. I can not wait to go to Italy. Thank you for presenting me with the opportunity to go because so many others are not as fortunate. You are a great dad and know how to teach us kids how to be adults, and without you, we would be screwed when it comes to the real world.
I have been gifted with so many amazing people, and I never want to be caught taking any of them for granted. Thank you to everyone who I get the pleasure to write about because if it was not for them, I would not be the person I am today.
