I had no idea what to expect going into my freshman year. Multiply that by four and you have my high school experience. I knew that Disney was not the best representation of high school, but I was hoping everyone would randomly burst into song while walking in the hallway. Still have my fingers crossed. In all honesty, high school wasn’t bad.There were many, many long nights spent studying and cramming in last minute work, but looking back now, I got to meet the most amazing, kind people and because of them I have had the most memorable experience.

For four years I was lucky enough to have taken journalism.What started off as me trying a new class, turned into a second home for me on campus.The classmates and director I have worked with were always so caring and encouraging. Personally, I thank Mrs. Scott for continually pushing me to do better and stick with journalism.Without her, high school would have been very different and who knows if I would have been on the Prowler staff. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to learn from such an optimistic and motivating teacher. Thank you Mrs. Scott for always believing in me and my ability to do better.

Everyday it was always such a relief to step into the classroom knowing I would be surrounded by a wonderful group of people. I will never forget all the laughter, all the stories, and all the crazy experiences we went through, especially this year. I’m glad I got to meet each and every one of you on staff. You have all worked so hard this year to create the Prowler and I couldn’t be prouder of how far we have come since the beginning of the school year.You’re all amazing and have definitely made this year in newspaper one I’ll never forget.

Journalism has impacted my life in several ways. I was definitely ten times more shy when I first started journalism than I am today. Journalism put me outside of my comfort zone. I was required to talk to people for interviews.Who would have thought that would be a requirement for the newspaper? Crazy right? Sometimes I’d have to walk into a class during the middle of a period and face that dreaded moment when half class turns to watch whoever is at the door. Needless to say social butterfly was most certainly not a term used to describe me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still moderately quiet and reserved, but I’m not scared to speak out and be myself anymore.
As a freshman, I was so conscious of other people’s judgements and afraid to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

In reality, I was more harsh on myself than anyone else was on me. In the end, everyone is flawed in one way or another and if someone truly cares about you, it will not bother them, so don’t sweat it. Enjoy being who you are.

Looking forward, I am excited to be a part of Texas A&M University’s class of 2023. And although journalism has impacted my life in many ways, I will be majoring in engineering. It’s always a little nerve racking to try something new and this time I’m expected to be independent, the pressure is on, but I know I am ready to face this new challenge. Leaving high school will be bitter- sweet. Crossing the stage at graduation means the end of my high school years, but the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I will miss everyone, but I’m excited to begin a new journey. I don’t know what to expect from college, shocker, but I do know the morals and friendships I’ve made in high school will always be there to help me on my journey.
Senior Quote: “It’s your life so make the most of it.”

Well alright what did I learn is I guess the first thing I should talk about. First thing is that high school isn’t even the beginning of your actual life and serves as a medium to college which is where you actually start your life. And yeah high school sucked for me and I can’t wait to leave and get out of this place. However it should not and I highly recommend not wasting four years for silly reasons like not being social or being too shy to approach anyone for any reason at all. While it isn’t even the beginning of a much bigger journey, it is still an important place to make memories and don’t waste it while you got it because time doesn’t rewind. And you don’t wanna be sitting there one day regretting that you could have done it alot better. A piece of advice, build up strong habits early or it is literally impossible to succeed otherwise. If I had built up any sort of system or just organized myself a lot better in my earlier years I would’ve had a much easier and much better time in school because if not it invites laziness and postponing everything.Towards the middle of junior year I already had senioritis and never did any work after that point and became completely devoid of motivation and just slept through the years after. Also remember kids, don’t do drugs they will ruin your life and life is better without them. High school is just a stepping stone for greater things so if anything just don’t dropout and actually graduate at the very least so you don’t end up homeless on the streets because let’s be real you won’t become a rapper. And when you go to college (which you should) don’t go to vista and waste your early college years, go to literally any other four year college and have the time of your life or you will regret it according to Mr.Taylor. I never liked any of you and I will miss none of you. Except for Mrs. Scott.

Oh, how time flies. I can still remember getting off the bus on my first day here on campus. I didn’t know where a single building was. One of my friends who is a year older than me had to show me around before the day started so that I wasn’t completely lost after the first bell rang. Four years later, it’s hard to believe that at one point I didn’t know where any of these buildings were. A lot has changed over these four years. I’ve met many new people and experienced many new things, for better or for worse. One of my best decisions over these four years was to join newspaper. It was a possible pathway that could combine two of my favorite things, sports and writing. Now, finishing my second year on staff and my first as the sports editor for the newspaper, I can confidently look back at my decision and say that it has easily exceeded my expectations. Between getting the opportunity to meet Mrs. Scott and the chance I got to meet what has been a second family to me.The bond I was able to create with our editors this year was special. I’ve had the best time getting to know both staffs and their own unique personality that each one has had.The constant inside jokes that are told just about every day are something that I will miss.Whether it’s any story of the infamous Darcy or a brainstorming day for the next issue, every day was something new and I‘m gonna miss that unexpected excitement I had every day I walked into this classroom. Along with the people, the work was so much fun for me. I loved getting to cover sports for the school and getting to interview people all around the school was a lot of fun for me. I even got to make memories outside of the classroom. The New York trip over spring break of my junior year is one of my favorite high school memories. From the longest first day imaginable to an eventful last day that trip had it all. From Mrs. Scott putting us on the wrong train to running late to Columbia sessions from an extra long lunch and meeting fun strangers in a strange place. I loved everyone who was a part of that trip and I was able to share all those experiences with them. When I first started applying for colleges this past fall I was applying as a journalism major.That was when I started to realize the impact Mrs. Scott has had on me.Talk about going above and beyond your job. Mrs. Scott has been so much more than a teacher or an advisor. At times she has been a second mother to me. Being a part of this newspaper has taught me so much when it comes to being a part of a publication and the entire publishing process.

But, more importantly, I will always remember all the good times that I had being apart of newspaper.All the laughs, the sometimes awkward silence if we were having a slow day. Every day was something different and frankly, high school is a little too scripted at times which is what made everyday so much fun and why I always looked forward to it. Another huge thank you to Mrs. Scott as well as this year’s editors, Seva, Sytha, Sally, and Faith.You guys made this year so much fun starting all the way back in August when we first started editor meetings. And another huge thank you to the rest of our staff this year, I loved getting to know all of you guys better and crack jokes while also getting some really cool and fun stuff done. I wish all of you guys the best going forward and hope you have learned and appreciated your time as much I have.

Standing in line at prep days my freshman year, I found myself in a predicament: A conflicting schedule. At that point in my life, I had my eyes set on becoming a New York Times’ Bestselling author so I was scheduled to take creative writing, However, an AP class I wanted to take was also during the same period. So, because of my desire to get college credit, I dropped creative writing, took the AP course instead, and was given my second elective choice: Journalism.This is why I find it hard to believe, after all these years, that I almost wasn’t a journalism kid. When I look back at the past four years, it seems totally crazy to me. But journalism completely changed my life. I would not be the person I am today if I had not taken journalism. I know how cliche that sounds, but it’s completely true. I know for a fat fact that my life would be insanely different if I had never taken journalism.

Once I started the class my freshman year, my goal was to one day be the editor in chief of our newspaper. And I’m proud to say that I achieved my goal. I’ve met so many great people along the way as well and created amazing memories with them that I will cherish forever.

A few of the notable ones are as follows:

My sophomore year, when a classmate stuck our former sports editor’s plastic pumpkins in the ceiling when she was gone one day.They’re still in the ceiling actually. We never found them. Another time that year, two of my classmates started using scissors on another one of our classmates’ hair. Let’s just say that our teacher walked in at the wrong time and we had the scissors confiscated from us for the rest of the year. (But did that really stop us though? The answer is no, it did not).

My junior year, one of our former editor-in-chief’s let me ride on top of the cart we use to deliver papers and pushed me down the sidewalk near the courtyard. I almost hit a rock and flew off from top of the cart. It was still really fun though. 10/10 recommend. And then there was the time we made recruitment videos and me and my best friend got to dress up in the mascot costumes.That was great and something I probably wouldn’t have been able to do either, so it makes me happy that it did happen. But honestly, the highlight of junior year would have to be placing 2nd in Feature Writing and placing 3rd in News Writing at the same practice UIL event. Now that, was awesome.

Now, finally, this year. My senior year. I knew it was going to be a great year when my editors and I began planning over the summer for the upcoming year. Yeah, it was early (8 am to be exact) but it was totally worth it.We forged a bond between us that I will cherish for years to come. Another memory I have from this year is when during a work night, our yearbook EIC chugged down at least a quarter of a liter bottle of Dr. Pepper and we all caught it on video.We also made another recruitment video this year as well. This time I got to be blindfolded (yes, it was Birdbox themed) and walked around campus, bumping into stuff. I also got to sit in a little innertube in a kiddie pool, using a racket as an oar, in 40-degree weather, all while blindfolded. I was freezing my butt off. Literally.Then, there was the time when my feature editor, Sally, pushed me around the room so I could act like a caterpillar, like one of the former editors from waaay back. Like, 2003 way back. (Shoutout to Lindsey Ludwig!) Another memory is when me and Sytha were being pushed along the cart while we were delivering newspapers and we rode along the back portable road before heading into J building where I sat on the top of the cart, handing out newspapers to people we passed along the way to the journalism room. But another highlight from this year would have to be that I made it all the way to State for UIL.That was the farthest I’ve ever gone and I am extremely proud of myself.

In addition to all the memories I’ve made, I’d also like to thank multiple people who have supported me throughout my time
in newspaper. I’d like to say thank you to Beckwith and Weber, for always reading the newspaper and helping me realize that even if so many people tell me that I can’t become a journalist because it’s too hard, to just keep trying because then newspapers will have to hire me. Much thanks to Mrs. Stevens as well for helping me out whenever I had deadlines by being super understanding whenever I had to leave class early. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Probably die of stress but it’s all good now. I’d also like to thank Davern (aka T-Dog) for letting me rant to him whenever I was stressed about the paper, supporting the paper and articles in general, and giving me the encouragement that I can definitely make it in the world of journalism. Oh, and thanks for the glow-sticks too. But for real, thanks for everything Davern. Don’t tell Scott this, but you’re tied with her for my favorite teacher ever.

And now, I’ve saved the best for last. There are no words I can use that would be able to fully capture my gratitude and love for you Scott. You’ve been the best teacher ever these past four years that I’ve had with you.You’re like a second mom to me and I wouldn’t want it any other way.Thanks for believing in me and pushing me to be the best journalist that I can be.Thank you for having my back, not giving up on me and supporting me through everything. I honestly have no idea what my life would have turned out if you had never been my teacher. I inwardly shudder at that thought if I’m gonna be perfectly honest. But seriously, thanks for everything you have done, not just for me, but for our journalism program. It means a lot.

Next, I need to thank some more awesome people in my life. To my editors, Sytha, Sally, Faith and Joseph, I love y’all 3000. Thanks for sticking with me and dealing with me. Y’all are absolutely the best people ever. I’m so lucky to have y’all as my editors and as friends.This year was awesome having every one of you by my side as we ran the paper.

I know that y’all always had my back no matter what and that we’d all stick together through thick and thin. I am going to miss all of you guys once we have to part ways. I know I’m never going to forget the times we shared and I want y’all to know that if you ever need me any time, I’m always here.

This is way too bittersweet. But it’s fine, totally fine. I’m not crying or anything lol. I’m as cool as a cucumber. But anyway, I hate goodbyes, so this isn’t gonna be a goodbye. It’s more like a ‘see you later’ type of deal. So, see you later OC. I guess. Or maybe just the journalism program.Yeah, that seems more fitting.
Senior Quote: “Mashed potatoes is when you mash people’s toes and you eat them -Sytha”