Growing, changing, learning

If you asked me freshman year what my high school story would look like, I don’t think I could have given a clear answer. I had ideas:  maybe something with art, maybe something completely different, but nothing that felt fully formed. Looking back now, I realize that not knowing was part of the process. Everything I experienced slowly built into who I am today. 

Art was always the most consistent part of my life. It was something I could turn to no matter what else was going on. When things felt overwhelming, school, work, expectations, art gave me a space where I didn’t have to have everything figured out. It wasn’t about being perfect; it was about creating something honest. Over time, it became more than just a hobby. It became how I understood myself and how I grew. 

At the same time, high school wasn’t just about finding one passion. It was about learning how to balance everything. Between school responsibilities, work, and time with family, there were moments when it felt like I was being pulled in a hundred directions. But those experiences taught me discipline and independence. They showed me that growth doesn’t always happen in big, obvious moments. It happens in small, everyday choices to keep going.

Joining the newspaper this year as News Editor was something completely new for me. I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be involved in journalism, and stepping into that role felt intimidating at first. But it pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I learned how to tell stories, not through visuals like I was used to, but through words. I learned how to listen more closely, think more critically, and be part of something bigger than myself. 

More than anything, high school has been about the people. The friendships, the support, the shared experiences. They’re what made everything meaningful. Whether it was late nights finishing assignments, conversations that lasted longer than they should’ve, or just being there for each other during stressful times, those moments are what I’ll carry with me.

As I move on from this chapter, I don’t feel like I have everything figured out, and I think that’s okay. High school didn’t give me all the answers, but it gave me something more important: the confidence to keep figuring things out as I go. It taught me that growth isn’t about having a perfect plan, but about being open to change and willing to try.

I’m leaving with lessons, memories, and a better understanding of who I am. And while it’s hard to say goodbye to something that has shaped me so much, I’m ready to see what comes next.