To my soul sisters—My best friends

You all are my ride-or-die. The people I know I can go to for anything. The people I can talk about anything with. Thank you all for everything you do for me. I love you more than you know. Ashley, thank you for being my soul sister. Since I was four years old you have been by my side, and I love you so, so much. You are the ultimate best friend. You have taught me so much about myself, and so much about the world. Even though we sometimes argue like sisters, I always love you like one too. I love when you randomly walk into my house, or when we do our homework together. I love when we go on spontaneous trips to Target or Starbucks. I love that I never have to worry about how far away you are because you’re always right next door. But I dread next year when you won’t be right next door. When you’ll be at least eleven hours away. But I know, and I hope you do too, that no distance will keep us apart, and you’ll always be my soul sister. I love you to the moon and back, and no matter where we end up I will always be here for you. I love you. Nora, thank you for being a constant in my life. For six years you have been my confidant. The person I tell everything: the drama, the gossip, the secrets. For five years we saw each other almost every single day, and even though we don’t anymore, and we haven’t had time to spill the tea recently, I know that I still have you in my corner. I know that I will always have you in my corner. Thank you for some of my favorite memories from sixth grade to now. Thank you for having so much talent that I am sometimes in awe of you. Thank you for being the sole reason I have survived several of my classes the last few years. Thank you for everything. I don’t think you know how much I appreciate you, but I hope you have at least a bit of an idea because I am so grateful for your friendship. I know that you are going to go so far in life, and I can’t wait to talk about it. I love you. Aubrey, thank you for being my little sister. I am at such a loss for words of what to say to you because you are beyond words. You are one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Your determination, confidence, and kindness are so awe-inspiring, and I can confidently say that I look up to you. You are so beautiful, so smart, and so deserving of everything good that comes to you. I am so lucky to have you right next door to me, and I am so proud to be dubbed your big sister. Thank you for the morning car ride gossip sessions, thank you for the quick trips to Target, thank you for being my go-to errand partner. I love every second I get to spend with you. I know that you are dreading when I leave for college, but I’ve never told you that I’m dreading it too. I’m going to miss you so much. I want you to remember that no matter how far away I am, I will always be here for you. You can always call me. I love you. Addie, thank you for being so loyal. There is so much to say to you, I don’t even know where to start. You are one of the best friends I’ve ever had, and every single day you show me what a friend is. You are always greeting me with a smile, making me laugh, and being so, so kind. You are truly one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and I am so grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for indulging in my newfound love of sports, thank you for being my favorite first editor, thank you for joining me in all of the random places I have to go. You are so amazing, and I appreciate having you in my life more than you know. I love you.

To the class that’ll always be my favorite—The Central Trend

Since the very first day of my freshman year, I knew that room 139 would be a saving grace in my life. It’s now over three years later, and though it’s not the same, and it isn’t housed in room 139 anymore, The Central Trend is still one of my favorite places to be. Writing is cathartic for me, and this site has seen more of my emotions and tears than I care to admit. But it’s not just the writing that makes TCT so meaningful to me—it’s the people. It’s Monia, whose quiet presence is so calming to our loud, crazy group. It’s Evvy, whose talent is unbelievable and who’s also the sweetest soul. It’s Kathryn, who is simply hilarious, and whose lifestyles are some of the best I’ve ever read. It’s Elle, who reduces my stress by always turning in her stories early and writing them so powerfully sometimes I can’t comprehend them right away. It’s Addie M, who is always asking if anyone needs help, and always making me cry with her beautiful columns. It’s Maylee, who writes in such an artistic way and is always shouting out everyone else for their great writing as well. It’s Ellerie, who puts her heart and soul into whatever she is writing, is always up for a gossip session, and is the kindest person I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. It’s Micah, who is the comic relief we all need in this stressful class. It’s Addie W, who is the only reason I’m up to date on current events, and who works so hard, proving to me that she loves this site and class as much as I do. It’s Mr. George (Sr.), who I know still cares about me despite not being my teacher anymore, and who allowed for this website to create the family I’ve come to call my own. And it’s JG, whose funny jokes and attempts at relating to us never fail to make me smile, and who I know wants the same thing as we do—an amazing site with amazing content.

But this year, it has been my two partners in crime—and editing—that have made TCT everything I have dreamed about since I was 12. It’s Rowan, who puts her whole heart and soul into everything she writes. Who is genuinely the most selfless and caring person I have had the pleasure of spending time with. Who works so hard, but who also loves to take breaks and have fun with us. Who saves me by covering the editing that I can’t get done, and who makes me in awe of her every day. And It’s Ella, who I have gotten to see grow for three years. Who I have witnessed become someone so sure of herself within the walls of our class, and who I know, like me, loves this site with her whole heart. Who is my favorite person to gossip with about things that are not relevant to either of us, and who I love to talk Taylor Swift with. Who makes me smile every day, and who I know is going to continue to thrive for the next two years. The Central Trend is something I know I’m going to be missing a year from now, and I am so grateful to have gotten to spend the last four years experiencing this website grow and flourish with new people and the same people who have made it what it is for me.

To my home away from home—The FHC Theater Department

When I was a freshman I was pretty shy, and I was not interested in joining many sports or clubs. But my parents wanted me to try some things out, so I followed in my brother’s footsteps and joined theater. I fell in love right away, and since then I have adored every hectic, stressful, crazy, fun moment of each production I have helped put on. But, like every other activity, it is truly the people who make the experience so special, so I have to give thanks to the ones who have created my love for the arts. First of all, to Miss Dykstra, thank you for helping me rediscover why I put myself through all of the stress. Thank you for being the best director I’ve ever had, and allowing me to take on a responsibility that I didn’t know I was longing for. Thank you for caring about me, talking to me, and feeding into my caffeine addiction. Thank you for helping me realize that I should feel like all of my hard work has paid off, and that if something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to talk about it. Thank you for being the director I always wished for. To Alex, thank you for being so kind. You are always asking how I’m doing, reassuring me, and complimenting me. but, in all honesty, I’m pretty sure you’re a hundred times better than me. You are so thoughtful, and I have loved every second of theater that I have spent with you, so thank you for decreasing my stress and helping create some amazing memories. To Audrey, thank you for being my wingwoman. Thank you for being the person I go to when I’m stressed and the person that always knows how to calm me down. I don‘t know how you do it, but you always know what to say to me when I’m stressed. Thank you for being the best assistant I could have, and thank you for being someone that makes the end so sad. To M&M, thank you for showing me how being true to oneself is the best thing to be. You are unapologetically you, and I adore it. I know that the person talking to me every day is exactly who you are. I know that the talent you put on stage is perfectly you. You make the auditorium so much livelier with your constant energy and sitcom references. I am going to miss you dearly, and I thank you for making these past two years so fun. To Keegan, thank you for—whether you realize it or not—being a constant in my theater experience. We’ve been doing this for almost the same amount of time, which means that we have both been through every trying rehearsal, director, and show. You are so kind and talented, I am glad that you have been a part of my theater experience. Thank you. And last but not least, to Henry, thank you for driving me crazy. I joke that I can’t stand you, and I pretend like you are infuriating to me, but in all honesty your presence takes away some of my stress. You don’t worry as much as I do, and that eases my tension, because if you’re not worried, why should I be? Thank you for making me smile—even if it’s usually begrudgingly—and thank you for being a part of the family I’ve created here. FHC Theater has had my back for four years, and saying goodbye to it is something I dread. So thank you FHC Theater for being something that makes saying goodbye so hard. Thank you for being the center of some of my best memories. Thank you for giving me my best friends. Thank you for allowing me to feel like I belong.

To the reason I’m always smiling—The other people I see throughout my days

Sometimes the big moments aren’t the best ones—sometimes the small moments are so much better. For me, the people I see every once in a while make me so happy, and I appreciate them just as much as the people I see every day. So, thank you to Cam, who I rarely see now that football season is over, but who I love to chat with for a quick second in the hall. Thank you for indulging in our Taylor Swift karaoke on the way home, thank you for the gas money that was not needed but is very appreciated. Thank you for participating in girl talk, and thank you for being so kind. Thank you to Toby, for being the only reason I survive fourth hour every day. Without you, I would have dropped the class right away, and I am so grateful that you are in it with me. Thank you for being kind, and for making me laugh. Thank you for running the store with me, and thank you for being the amazing person that you are, because it truly makes my day. Thank you to Tara, whose texts make me smile like no other. Thank you for my Swiftie bestie, and for making my shoes. Thank you for always, always, always making me laugh. Thank you for not forgetting about me when you left for college, and thank you for being one of the sweetest souls I know. I miss you. Thank you to Lauren, whose talent is indescribable. I am so glad that you are close enough that sometimes I can pop by to witness a show or performance because your talent astounds me. Thank you for being one of the nicest people I know, and for remembering to text every once in a while, because it makes my day. I miss you. Thank you to Brooke, Nate, and Sophia, for making fifth hour so much more enjoyable. You three make me laugh so much, and I am so happy to have gotten to know you this year. You are all filled with talent, and I can’t wait to see where your writing takes you. Thank you for being so funny, kind, and amazing. Thank you to Kendall and Grace, for letting me into your group. Without you, I would have had no fun at any of the dances these past two years. I cherish the memories I’ve made with you, and I am glad that I’ve gotten to know you. 

To the soul reason for my survival—My parents

I want you to know that I appreciate every single thing you have done for me. I love you so much, and I know that you work so hard so that I can have a good life. Thank you for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, thank you for taking me to travel the world, and thank you for teaching me to be proud of myself. You have taught me so much about life, but also allowed me to learn for myself. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me. I know that I’m going to be okay in life because I will always have you with me, and for that I am eternally grateful. I love you both so much, and I will continue to be grateful for everything you have given me.