To my family:

Dad and Mom, for your endless support

Dad,  you have been my rock, my foundation, and one of the only people I have truly relied on throughout everything. Words can not express how thankful I am for the things you have done for me. Over my lifetime, I have had many different hobbies and interests, but for you, this meant supporting me through all of it. When I first joined volleyball in seventh grade, I was not always the best, but every time I looked up into the stands, I saw you. You have always been there for me, and for that, I will always be grateful. Mom, I always giggle when I walk into practice and see that you are wearing my sweatpants that you stole from my clothing-filled bedroom. I am surprised that you would even dare to set foot in a space as cluttered as that one. Although you ask me to clean my room about five times a day, I am still so thankful that you respect my space and respect me. Over my lifetime, you have put in time and energy into everything I love; I will never be able to express how thankful I am to have you as a mom. I love you both. And thank you both for always reminding me that I do not have to be perfect and that I am allowed to have fun. There have been many times when I needed that reminder.

Kadence, Keyan, and Kolden, for growing up with me

Kadence, I miss you endlessly. Coming downstairs will always create a void in me. There is no more fighting over clothes or coming downstairs to tell you about my day. Now, I see you only a few times a week at work. Sometimes I wish that we were still young, sharing our pink and purple bedroom, and you teaching me how to crawl out of my crib. You are everything a sister could ask for, and I can’t wait to see what you will accomplish in your future. Keyan, I know we do not get along all of the time, but I love our late-night gas station runs and all of the rides Mom and Dad make you give me. I feel like, as we are getting older, you do not see me as much as your annoying younger sister in the grade below you, but as a real person you can become close with. Kolden, I know right now it is really hard for us to get along at times just because of our age gap, but I truly want you to know how proud I am to see you grow up. I love how passionate you are about your video games and the instrument you are now playing, and I wish I even had half the passion you have. I love you all.

To TCT:

To my sophomores:

Brooke, thank you for being one of my best friends. Although you get annoyed a lot of the time when I ask you questions about math or any even any class, I know you think it is hilarious how most of the time I don’t know what is going on. When we first met in Honors English last year, I did not realize what kind of friendship would blossom from hearing Mr. George yell about Abigail Williams or John Proctor. I wish we could hang out more often, but trust me, once I finally get my license, I will pick you up all of the time. Even though the videos we sent to each other on Snapchat are nice, I can’t wait to gossip with you more in person. Thank you for just being a friend when I need it most. Sophia, thank you for constantly editing my stories, as I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t include all of your suggestions in them. I am so sorry for eating all your Gushers. I promise one day I will bring you five packs to make up for it. I love how amazing a writer you are, and I am so glad to have this class and Algebra 2 with you.

To the Editors-in-Chief:

Elle, your style is everything. I love how creative your outfits are, and how you look good in all of them. Your writing is so incredibly good; you’re a great editor-in-chief. Ella, you are actually hilarious. I love how every time the class is talking, you just start breaking into song. I love reading all of your stories, and I have all confidence in you that you could become a successful journalist someday. Micah, having this class with you has been so fun. I can just tell that you are so passionate; firstly, just based on the way you write, and also how you run this class so smoothly. Maylee, for always being so nice and compassionate towards everyone. Every time I read your writing, I am blown away by just how professional yet personable it feels.

To the seniors:

Addie W, for always being an example of how I should write my editorials. Ellerie, that day in the hallway when DoorDash scammed me was so funny. I love having ASL with you; you are a great role model for how I should sign, but also how I should write my columns. Evelyn, for being a great example to WFP. Cam, for always complimenting me on my sign language skills. Whenever I am your partner for any assignment, you are always so helpful, you are a great signer and a more incredible writer. Nova, thank you for always giving me story ideas, because I never know what to write about. I love reading your stories because it is so prevalent that you have a passion for writing. Even when you graduate, I hope to see you working at Starbucks!

To my fellow juniors:

Addie M, for being my neighbor, childhood friend, and always being someone to reminisce on old memories. Kathryn, for helping me expand my vocabulary. Every time I read one of your stories, you somehow seem to teach me a word I never knew existed. I enjoy having APES with you, too; thank you for always helping me when I need it.

To the teacher of my favorite class, Mr. George: Having Honors English 10, TCT, and AP seminar with you as my teacher has been one of the most interesting times of my high school experience. Every day you come in with a smile on your face, hoping to be inspirational every single day. I have so many fun memories in your classroom, from playing Wordle when I should have been doing my AP seminar work, to you standing on the desks of the classroom. I am so thankful to have you as my teacher.

To the people who mean the most to me:

Leah H, for being my best friend in the whole world. Ever since freshman year econ class, we have been inseparable. I remember the first time you asked me to hang out, and I was ecstatic. For the longest time, I had wanted to be your friend because of how sweet and compassionate a person you are. Summers with you are especially my favorite. The days we get to paint crafts, tan, and listen to our favorite country artists are the days I long for during the school year. I will never forget the Zach Bryan concert, and I am so glad I got to experience that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with you. I would share all the memories I have with you in this story, but there are just too many. I love you endlessly. God put you into my life for a reason. I love how our personalities just mesh so effortlessly.

Leah G, for being my TCT, shopping, and class buddy. I still do not know how we managed to have almost every single class together, but if it could be anyone, I am so glad it is you. Even though our class load together can get frustrating, you have always pushed me to be a better student, but you remind me that my grades are not everything. I love looking back on our memories from fifth grade and laughing at how Mrs. Black would always yell at you for wearing your winter hat inside, or crying to our class about topics we were probably too young to understand. Even though our friendship soon subsided in middle school, I am so glad that we rekindled it in freshman year. Thank you for being one of my best friends.

Zoe, for always making me laugh. Out of the many years we have played volleyball for the same club, I am shocked we have never been on the same team before. You have this crazy talent for making any moment into something hilarious. It does not matter if we are exhausted from practice, stressing over school, or doing actually nothing; you somehow make every moment something I can look back and laugh at. I love that about you. You are so serious and relatable at the same time, which sounds impossible, but I love how I can talk to you about everything and anything. Hot tub talks will always be some of my favorite memories, either that or when we are just lying in your bed watching some dumb rom-com that probably has Timothée Chalamet in it. I can’t wait for you to bring Dylan to our volleyball tournaments, and I’ll bring Will so that our boyfriends can finally become friends. Thank you for always being kind and making everything 10 times as fun. I am so grateful for you.

Will, from the moment we first started hanging out, I knew you were someone special. You came into my life when I probably needed it most. Walking into this semester of school, I knew it was gonna be one of the toughest and most time-consuming parts of my life. But not once have you made me doubt my academic capabilities. Not just my academics, but my athletics as well. You are someone who has always shown up for me, no matter the circumstances. Every volleyball game, I could see you in the crowd cheering me on, even if I wasn’t on the court. Zoe and I would always laugh at you for looking emo by having your hood up, but to be completely honest, I was just happy to have someone in my life who cared about me so much that they would drop everything to watch me play volleyball. I don’t think I have laughed with anyone more than I have with you. There is so much more I could include in this short paragraph, but I would rather tell you in person. I just want you to know how much care I have for you. Thank you for being my best friend and being my favorite person.

Tana, for being my forever pepper partner, best friend, and one of the funniest people I have ever met. I know you will probably never read this because you go to a completely different school, but on the small chance you do, I want you to know how thankful I am to have you in my life. You were put on my club volleyball team in eighth grade, which to this day has still been my favorite club year. Even if our team was really bad, you came into my life at a time I needed it most. God knew I needed you.

Aubree, for being someone I can always agree with. I am so grateful I have been able to become closer to you this year. Our gossip sessions will always be my favorite. I appreciate how we both can say something so out of pocket, yet somehow still agree. AP World this year has not been the most fun class ever, but one positive thing is how close we have become throughout it. Hangouts with you and Leah will always be my favorite, because with you two, I feel like I can always be myself. I can not wait for more high school dances, hangouts, and FNL with you, because you always make it more fun. Thank you for being a friend I can rely on.

Ellie, for making me realize that I should not fake my driver’s training hours. I love you, but driving back from that macaron place with you and Leah was one of the scariest moments of my life. All I could do was laugh. Even though your driving is a little scary, I enjoy every single moment with you. I have so many memories of all of the get-togethers you throw; I am so thankful to have a friend who is up to almost anything. I want you to know that you will always be one of my best friends. I appreciate how compassionate you are. From helping me throw Leah’s surprise birthday party to always checking up on me randomly, you have shown what a real friend means.

Katie, for being one of the nicest people I know. Thank you for always showing compassion, no matter the circumstance. Whenever I talk to you, you remind me of what it means to truly be a nice person. I feel like I can talk to you about anything, and you will always remind me that there are two sides to every story. I cherish all of times we have been on the same team for volleyball, you are an amazing person and even more amazing friend.

Sophie, for being a style icon. Every time I walk into the cafeteria at lunch, all I can do is just admire your outfits. I honestly do not know how you find such good thrift finds, but your outfits are bomb. I love how you are someone who consistently shows kindness, honesty, and support towards all of your friends. I really hope that we can become closer in the near future because I can tell just how good a friend you are.

Madison, for being someone I can always laugh with. Whenever I walk into ASL and hear “Key-linnnn,” it automatically improves my day. You are honestly one of the funniest people I know. You can make the most boring moment, and somehow make everyone laugh until we can’t breathe. Your jokes are always perfectly timed, and you just get my humor. Even when I am having my worst day, you still manage to make me laugh. I love walking up stairs and messing with Mr. Pierce until the bell rings; thank you for being my friend.

And to the rest of my friends, thank you for being someone I can talk to, rely on, and make me laugh. Even if you were not mentioned specifically in this, just know I love you all.