To begin, I’d like to start with the “what” I am grateful for before I get to the “who:” Chick-fil-A waffle fries, my patchwork Abercrombie hoodie, the stairmaster, JBL over-the-ear headphones, my bed, online shopping, my 2009 Toyota Camry, Pinterest, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, my acoustic guitar, chunky gold earrings, iced chai lattes, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, writing, Diet Coke, to-do lists, bronzer, spearmint tea, my TikTok reposts, Who’s the Clown? by Audrey Hobert, early morning runs, packages being out for delivery, my digital camera, lip gloss, my hair straightener, Friday nights, and so, so much more.

Most of all, however, I am grateful to God, that He has given me a life of such fortune and privilege; that I get the opportunity to go to school and learn even when I’m burnt out, to exercise when I’m sore and fatigued, to have running water and working electricity, to not have to worry about where my next meal will come from, to have a warm bed to sleep in when I’m tired, to have a vehicle to travel in, to wake up in a reality without war, to not be riddled by disease or famine, and to have the ability to be loved and love others. While it is easy to take these simplicities for granted, every day spent living with the grace of God and His unmerited favor is a blessing. I thank Him, most poignantly, for the friends, family, teachers, teammates, and mentors He has so graciously put into my life.

To Sophia:  “I’m always, forever, runnin’ back to you”

While I have only biological brothers, you are the closest thing I have ever had to a sister.

There are very few people who have stayed in my life with the same consistency, comfort, and closeness that you have. And when I look back on every truly good day I’ve had since third grade, it’s almost laughable how many of them trace straight back to you—summer afternoons spent filming our Dude Perfect rip-off (gaga ball stereotypes) on my now-nonexistent trampoline, our iconic iMovie productions that absolutely should never see the light of day again (Llama Goes to Hong Kong will forever live in infamy), and spring breaks in Coligny where we’ve made every regrettable tourist purchase imaginable and collected our communal fair share of sun poisoning, mussel lacerations, and hot tub folliculitis.

The closer we get to the end of high school—and to the end of a chapter you’ve been in every sentence of—the more I realize just how long you’ve been by my side. Our old Halloween costumes that we now pretend never happened live rent-free in my pre-COVID memory, right alongside the lettuce-trim SHEIN tops we were so excited to wear on the first day of seventh grade. I still think about our handshake to the entirety of “Here With Me” by Marshmello (“No”) that we meticulously choreographed on the bus ride home from Central Woodlands. I owe to our friendship the evolution of our Quiplash answers throughout the years, an occasional sequin I find on my floor from an elementary-school flippy shirt, moments spent begging your parents to let me sleep over at your house, playing “Happy Monkey” on your out-of-tune piano, MagiQuest during the Cherry Cup, and listening intently for the ice cream truck while we rollerbladed loops around the neighborhood.

While a great deal has changed since those days, there are a few things that I know for certain: we will always end up back in your basement rewatching Snow Biz! for the thirtieth time, Two Player Obby on Roblox will be graced by our presence at least once a year, and I will forever remain bitter that someone scammed me out of the neon llama from Adopt Me that you got me for my twelfth birthday. And, most importantly, I know for certain that I have found my sister in everything but blood, my future bridesmaid, my second half, my ride-or-die, and the first person I think of when someone asks me who my best friend is. To quote the Wicked: For Good movie, which we watched a few days prior to me writing this: “So much of me / Is made of what I learned from you / You’ll be with me / Like a handprint on my heart / And now whatever way our stories end / I know you have re-written mine / By being my friend.” Always remember: You are the Google Pixel phone to my Google Pixel phone.

I’m so unbelievably lucky to have a best friend like you. I love you always, Soph.

To Emma: “I remember being younger, and my mother told me truth / Find someone who grows flowers in the darkest parts of you.”

2025 brought me many things, but most importantly, it brought me you.

Frankly, I have no idea what I would do without you. You are, single-handedly, one of the most compassionate, funny, and kindhearted people I know, and every moment I spend with you, I realize this truth more and more. My weeks are spent looking forward to our highly anticipated McDonald’s debriefs over cold fries and a Diet Coke, our lunchtimes where we end up laughing until our ribs hurt over convoluted inside jokes, and every post-football game Culver’s run that has now become a highly cherished tradition.

Thank you for being my internal monologue, my voice of reason, and the only person who rivals all my wildly intrusive, shrunken-Snapchat-font thoughts. Thank you for sharing a mutual hatred for math with me, for being Ranger’s favorite houseguest, and for being one of my biggest cheerleaders in every area of life. Whether I need a mid-AP Lang snack, an accomplice in gaslighting a few specific people into believing The Summer I Turned Pretty is a real story, or simply someone to glance at during silent reading when 1984 takes an unexpected turn, I know you’ll always be there by my side for moral support.

What amazes me most about you, however, is the light you bring into every room you walk into. You remain the most steadfast friend and listener I know. Not a day goes by that your empathy fails—and I have yet to meet anyone who wouldn’t say the same thing about you. I am 100% certain that you are going to do incredible things in life, and I hope that, no matter where time pulls us, we never drift far from the version of ourselves that remain constants in each other’s lives. 

I love you forever, Emma, and, for both my sake and yours, I pray you never hit another deer going down Cascade; I don’t know what I’d do without my Emma G. 

To Abby: “I was surrounded / With open, open, open / Open arms”

Abby, I could write you a million thank-yous and still not even scratch the surface of how grateful I am for you.

I cherish every moment of our high school career that we’ve spent side by side. It would be unfair not to commend you for sticking with me through every regrettable era of the past three years (freshman year being Exhibit A, though I do miss scouting the halls in hopes that we might see our favorite Class of 2024 senior). I have to admit: sometimes, I find myself longing to be sitting in our first-hour AP US History class from sophomore year. I know more about Warren G. Harding and business associationalism than I would ever need to due to the chapter summary that we did together, but nevertheless, I remain thankful that we have become trauma-bonded by the Roaring 20s and the Temperance movement.

Lately, I have been resisting the urge to download Strava in fear that the sight of your atrociously fast 5k time will cause me to rage quit and give up. And I have to say it: I love your basement an abnormal amount. I apologize that your pool table has probably seen more questionable decisions (and people) than either of us will ever publicly admit, and I’m sorry for the holes in the wall that have been left from my terrible dart throwing—and if you see a small, dart-induced hole tucked in the far right corner of the pool table, just pretend you didn’t.

But on a more serious note, thank you for seeing the good and the promise in me when even I couldn’t. You always manage to lift me up, even when I’m convinced the world is ending and the sky is falling. In times of trial and tribulation, you always show up without fail, whether I need a kind word, an energy drink, a reality check, or just someone to sit with and breathe for five seconds. You’ve been one of the most steady, grounding people I have found in the midst of some of the shakiest, most uncertain moments of my life.

Thank you for making even the hardest days feel survivable.

I love you, Abby. And, on the off-chance that I do end up gathering to courage to download Strava, please just skip past my stats.

To Bella: “A needle shining like a diamond in the desert / Don’t know what I’d do / Don’t know what I’d do without you”

Though we’ve only been good friends for a few months, I am so incredibly grateful for you.

It’s impossible not to constantly be in awe of you (so much so to the point that you influenced me to go out and purchase black eyeliner, even though I’ll never pull it off the way you do). You’re effortlessly confident, hilarious, and endlessly talented, whether it’s destroying all of us in Just Dance so completely that I will forever think of you when I hear Rasputin, giving us a reason to stay until after halftime at the football games to watch you perform with the dance team, or sharing stories about your home-made mask business during the COVID-19 pandemic, which I am very disappointed I never got to witness. Even though you ran away at the wrong-but-perhaps-technically-right time from the lip sync circle, you never fail to amaze me.

Thank you for your encouragement and words of affirmation, your steadying presence when it feels like the sun is about to explode, and the fact that you are always here for all of us, time and time again. And, of course, thank you for your wisdom on the Core Ten, your dedication to keeping Gluttony updated on Mr. Bannick’s sixth-hour Algebra 2 class, for helping me put in my bright purple hair extensions on Halloween, and for performing the Money dance for us multiple times—I am highly anticipating watching you perform that this basketball season.

But, most importantly, thank you for being a great friend. I am so, so happy that our paths have intertwined this year.

I love you bunches, Bella V.

To Micah: “But it feels good to be known so well / I remember who I am when I’m with you”

You are so cool, it is honestly a bit unfair.

I have yet to meet anyone as multifaceted as you—whether you’re playing a rabbit-holed Victorian English girl, the unofficial mother of the Lost Boys, or offering a reminder that “Witchery’s a hangin’ error” (like they did in Boston two years ago), your stage presence and musical talent are incomprehensibly good. Your comedic timing is flawless; whether it’s the sound of you serenading our sixth-hour class with Lorde’s “Writer in the Dark,” a one-liner in our old copy-editing group chat, or an off-the-cuff TikTok you tag me in, I am constantly reminded of how naturally hilarious you are. And regardless of whether you’re cosplaying as an Amish woman in your Mary Warren bonnet or beaming in your hand-sewn homecoming dress, you are always so effortlessly gorgeous. I cannot think of a single area of your life that you live halfway, and you are possibly the most talented person I have the privilege of knowing.

And, how could I forget: I remain forever jealous of your coveted softball arms.

I know you are going to do incredible, important things and go unbelievably far in this life; this fact partially terrifies me. I have yet to imagine a reality without the sight of your Mini Cooper parked down the road from me, a weekday without smiling at the stories you put in pending, or a single moment that doesn’t leave me in awe of your astounding virtuosity. Regardless of where I see your name in the future—whether in The New York Times, in a Playbill, on the Oxford dean’s list, or in the credits of a niche indie rock band (which reminds me: if this whole academic weapon thing ends up falling through, it might be time to lock in on the accoustic guitar and hit the studio)—I know that I will forever remain in a state of profound admiration for the person that you are.

But, for now, you can always count on me to be sitting in the green armchair in room 216, waiting to vent to you about the trivialities of my day, politics, boys, burnout, music, philosophical concepts, brainrot, or virtually anything that comes to mind. Because, as you prove to me time and time again, I know you will always be there for me when I need it most.

You are an amazing friend and an amazing person. I love you forever, Micah.

To Anna: “Slipping through my fingers all the time / I try to capture every minute / The feeling in it”

How time has flown since elementary school.

Few people have been in my life as long as you have. You’ve been there by my side since we (Double Trouble) performed at the fourth-grade musical, for the release of virtually every Descendants movie, throughout the cataclysm that was middle school, and now, back again at my lunch table just like a decade ago. I think back to how much the two of us have grown since then, and I am so incredibly grateful that, even though much time has passed, we remain closer than ever.

Talking with you always makes me feel so seen and so heard, reminiscing with you over older days always fills my heart with joy, and texting you late at night to find out that you, too, are studying deep into the pits of the evening comforts me. I cannot imagine myself without the mark that our friendship has made on me over the years, and from the bottom of my heart, I am so thankful that I have had the privilege of being your friend. You are so incredibly smart and driven, and I know you can do anything you set your mind to; many years in the future, I’m excited to see your name with a Dr. in front of it on some sort of patented medical research document.

Thank you for always supporting me, for consoling me when I’m down, and for motivating me when I need a pick-me-up throughout all these years.

I love you so very much, and I am so, so thankful for you.

 To Will: “And I’d sneak away at the end of each day / to write sonnets for you I could sing”

While I went into the fall believing that the most memorable information I would learn this school year would be my precalculus homework, I am more than happy to say that it has instead been everything I’ve gained from getting to know you so well over these past few months.

It is because of you that I know there is both a DJ Reed and a DJ Reader who play on the Detroit Lions, and if I’m ever attempting to rattle off as many of their teammates as I can, I can always fall back on Jared Goff as a gimme point. Without you, I would never know what a temperature gauge is, what a power forward does in basketball, how to drive stick, or a considerable portion of Zach Bryan’s discography. I have yet to figure out how you maintain a constant 100,000 points on the Chick-fil-A app, but I’m convinced that, one of these days, I’ll uncover that secret as well. While I can’t promise I’ll ever fully grasp what a linebacker does, why I shouldn’t rubberneck while driving, or how to stop exclaiming when I see a deer standing anywhere within my peripheral vision, I can promise you that, regardless, I’ll always show up for you just like you so consistently do for me.

Thank you for watching all my ten-minute Snapchat vlogs, especially when I spend nine of those minutes lamenting over school or sports or whatever is stressing me out that day. For reminding me to sleep and for tolerating my post–all-nighter slump (and occasional unconsciousness). For always meeting me in the middle, for your unwavering, level-headed thoughtfulness, and for always offering me a helping hand when I need it most. Thank you for the flowers currently sitting on my bed frame as I write this, and for reminding me that, sometimes, you need to close a door in order for the truly good things to come.

But, most importantly, thank you for stepping into my life at a moment when I didn’t know how much I needed someone like you to do so.

#TreySweeney

To my brothers, Jacob and Benjamin (and Ranger): “Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’ / ‘Cause I built my life around you”

Jacob, I miss you. Oxford was far away, and so is Detroit—certainly a lot farther than the three feet between my bedroom and your old bedroom. I often find myself glancing at your Campbell Soup ceiling tile as I’m walking to class and wondering what you’re up to in your new, grown-up life. Sometimes, it still feels like I’m 12 years old and you’re my cool, senior older brother whom I brag about so often. But high school hockey is boring to watch now without you playing, family dinners have one less seat filled, and no one is home to call me “the butt” anymore. Nevertheless, I’ll always be proud to call myself your younger sister. I’m always one call away. I love you, and I always will.

Benjamin, thank you for making me laugh. Though you scrolling through Instagram reels over the aux cord while we’re driving home certainly grinds my gears quite often, there are occasional moments in which I find it funny. Though your knowledge of basic American history is rusty without a doubt, I have to admit that I am amazed by the number of random, irrelevant baseball players you can pull out of thin air on command. I hope the winter arc treats you well, and that you finally remember who the president was during the Civil War. I am happy to have you as my twin brother—but always remember that those 27 minutes mean nothing. You may be older than me, but everyone knows who the better twin is (it’s me). Love you, twin.

And, to my favorite brother, Ranger: Though you are a dog of few words—none, for that matter—you never fail to make me smile. I will keep this short and sweet, as I know you cannot read, but I dread the day when I leave for college and no longer get the privilege of watching you go ballistic when I arrive home from school. I can’t say I will miss you rifling through my trash and picking up my socks, but I will undoubtedly miss the sight of your sweet face (and Sleeping Time Buddy). I love you, Rog.

And you’re welcome, to all three of you, for being your favorite sister. I know it was a tough choice, but I’m happy to take the title.

To my parents: “How can I repay the due? / The way you know me, love me, pull me through / Yes, it’s true, I do it all for you” 

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

Mom, your endless generosity and compassion for us kids never cease to amaze me, especially after a long day of work or when you have to navigate our less-than-savory antics. Every act of compassion you do for us—from folding our laundry and preparing our meals to patiently listening to our constant questions and putting up with our bickering—reminds me daily of how lucky I am to be your daughter. What makes it even more remarkable is not just the things you do, but the way you do them: with an unshakable kindness and an unwavering patience. Your selflessness and devotion inspire me, and I can only hope that, in my own life, I can carry forward even a small portion of the compassion and generosity you show us every single day. I love you so very much, and I could not ask for a better mom.

Dad, your positivity, generosity, and unwavering support are gifts I feel so lucky to have in my life. I can’t thank you enough for all the time and energy you dedicate to me—whether it’s coaching me in hockey, putting up with my dramatic moments, or singing along to Christmas songs with me in the car. Your wisdom, encouragement, and constant presence have shaped so much of who I am, and I am endlessly grateful for your guidance and care. Being your daughter is a joy I treasure every day, and I don’t know where I would be without your love, patience, and unwavering dedication. You truly are the best dad in the world, and I feel so fortunate to be your little girl.

Being your daughter is an unfathomably amazing privilege. I love both of you beyond words, forever and always.

To my TCT’ers: “It’s that little souvenir, of a colorful year, which makes me smile inside”

I love this class and these people more than words could describe. Thank you all for giving me something to look forward to at the end of the day, and for giving me an outlet into a little corner of my mind.

Mr. George (JG), thank you for making TCT the best class in school. There are very few people who could fill Mr. George (bald)’s shoes, but I’d say you’ve done an amazing job thus far. It is always comforting to know that if I ever need a fist bump, a few words of encouragement, or a lesson on how basketball works (which I might need repeated, if I’m being honest), I just have to take a quick stroll down to room 216. Most of all, thank you for being a teacher who cares not only about the grades and academic success of his students, but also their growth, well-being, and the kind of people they will become. It is very much appreciated!

Ella, I don’t know what this class would be like without you. Meetings will feel a bit empty next year without the comforting sound of you rapid-firing the Trending list. You are so incredibly fun and relatable to talk to, and I can’t wait to see what incredible things you do in the future. Elle, thank you for influencing me to be an academic weapon. As a first-hand witness to your perpetual “locked-in-ness,” I am for certain that, whatever you choose to pursue going forward, you’re going to be amazing at it. Also, thank you for telling me how selling on Depop works when I sent you a very out-of-the-blue text mid-summer; you will be happy to know that I successfully delivered my blue homecoming dress to Sadie from Minnesota, all thanks to you. Maylee, you are one of the kindest people I have ever met. You have a certain warmth to you that is very difficult to come across. I know you are going to do incredible things after high school, and regardless of where you end up, I will always be rooting for you in my heart. And, you were right: you do give the best hugs.

Ellerie, thank you for making me feel so welcome. I remember lamenting to one of my friends when I was an underclassman over the fact that I had no “upperclassmen friends,” so I made it my unspoken mission to befriend you. In the process, I have noticed the unwavering empathy and light that you bring to every conversation, and how truly compassionate and caring you are to others. Already, I know I am going to miss our pre-meeting small talk next year. Evelyn, I’m calling on you to bring back the Buzzfeed quizzes. I need to find out the first initial of my secret admirer based on my dream vacation; the suspense is eating me alive. But in all seriousness, you are so funny, and you always know what to say. Please, let’s never stop texting on the old copy-editor group chat. Addie W, I am angry that I only found out just a few months ago that we have been neighbors all these years. To think of all the times I could’ve copy-edited with you in the Woltil family kitchen—what a missed opportunity. But, seriously, you are incredibly smart and incredibly funny. In the few times that you have driven me to or from school, I have always enjoyed our conversations, especially that one six-minute voice note. Addie M, I often get waves of nostalgia for Mr. George Sr.’s old room. I miss our freshman table and how cool we felt being the youngest ones there. Just like it was back in room 139, your stories still continue to bring a smile to my face.

Leah, I have loved getting to know you better this year. Your kind presence and persistent dedication to the class do not go unnoticed. Plus, you have the most aesthetic Instagram account I’ve ever seen, and you remind me of a walking Pinterest board. Zoe, I am very happy that this school year has given us the ability to catch up a bit again. It’s strange to think back to our days at Pine Ridge and realizing that those days were nearly a decade ago, but it makes me happy that, a decade later, our paths have crossed again, even if it meant going 2-for-9 on an APES test to do so. Kylin, thank you for enduring APES with me. Though the Lemna minor lab was definitely a breaking point for both of us, I am proud that we powered through it. In the sporadic conversations we’ve had here and there, I have always taken note of your warmhearted, infectiously friendly personality.

Sophia, you are wise beyond your years. Your dedication and writing prowess are unmatched, as is your commitment to celebrating the analytics during meetings (much appreciated). Brooke, you are so very talented. I love listening to you vent about APUSH because it gives me a wave of nostalgia from when I would labor over populism and reconstruction or whatever the unit was at the time. I promise that this year, I’ll finally make it out to a softball game so I can see the phenom (you) in action. Nova, your intelligence and understanding are unsurpassed. Every single one of your editorials is worthy of applause, and every time I see you claim a topic on the topic selection sheet, I get excited. Cam, though I don’t have the chance to see you during sixth hour, I have yet to hear anyone say anything that isn’t of the highest praise about you. I look forward to hopefully getting to know you better over our monthly pizza parties.

And, finally, a few quick shoutouts! 

To Mrs. Beckett, thank you for giving me an example of who I want to be when I grow up. You are such an incredible teacher, and I can tell you truly care about your students. Additionally, thank you for always checking in on me and for giving me grace when I’ve left my top-notch educational prowess at home—it is greatly appreciated! To Ellie, though I’m still a bit angry at you for leaving me high and dry next semester for AP Pre-Calc, thank you for always entertaining me with our conversations and for cheering me on. Your constant encouragement and words of affirmation always make me smile. To Isla, I miss you. The biggest loss of my soccer departure will undoubtedly be our sideline conversations. You are so kind and thoughtful, and I hope one day to be just as sweet as you are. To my girls from Fox Motors Hockey Club: thank you for being my constant throughout all these years. Addie, I see God in you every time we speak. You have the kindest soul, the sweetest smile, and you are an absolute angel. Avery, thank you for being my hockey best friend all these years. You are so incredibly supportive, and I am so, so proud of you. You deserve every good thing coming your way. Zariya, I so deeply appreciate your gentle kindness. In times of trouble, I always know I can lean on you for a kind word or a shoulder to cry on. You are so good-natured, and I am so, so grateful for you. Anya, thank you for your constant, comforting presence in my life. Throughout every bad practice, every rough game, and every moment of frustration, I know you will always be there to console and uplift me. I can’t wait to see you at U of M one of these days—hopefully, I’ll be there with you. Meghan, Raquel, and Neely, thank you for your constant tenacity and drive. You are all incredible leaders. Julia and Mia, thank you for being my favorite freshmen. Julia, you are the world’s best comedic relief, and though I’ve never had a little sister, I’m always here if you need a “big sister” to vent to. Mia, the same goes for you. A part of me will always miss our Mites team together way back in elementary school, but it has been such a privilege to grow up with you over the years.

Thank you, over and over and over and over again, to all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!