I was never a fan of high school. I came through the doors my freshman year with low expectations, and even those were not surpassed. I know that I will not look back particularly fondly on my time here, and I have made peace with that. However, despite the negatives, I have made wonderful friends, learned about myself, and found what I want to do with my life, so in that sense, high school has served its purpose.

I am so glad that I found my calling in life early on. After less than a semester in my first journalism class, I knew I had found my home. Writing and editing for this newspaper has taken so much of my time and effort, but it has prepared me for my major and career. Journalism has taught me so many important lessons, that apply to both my field and my life in general. Most importantly, I learned how crucial it is to see every side of a story. Use multiple sources, always fact check, and never take someone’s point of view as the truth without corroboration. Not only will it keep you credible, but it will help you determine the real truth.

While I did not find graduating high school to incredibly difficult, I am thankful for the people who have guided me to this point. My incredible parents, Kevgren and Stephgren, have given me all the love and support in the world. Cathlina Bergman, Mary Beck, Robin Montano, Jessica Crabtree and Kathy Shockley have all helped me grow as a student and as a person, and I am so thankful for their dedication to teaching me and my peers. And of course, I absolutely would not be who I am today without my teacher and mentor, Erin Amrein. She has taken care of my breakdowns, given me advice that is actually applicable to the real world and shaped me in ways I cannot even describe.

I absolutely cannot wait to get to college. Oklahoma State is my home, and I am ready to begin a new chapter there, and again after college somewhere completely new. My biggest piece of advice is this: rather than trying to adapt to where you are now, seek out the place where you can grow and be yourself. If, like me, you know that Newton is not that place for you, don’t stop searching until you find it. Find a new town. Or even a new state. Before you plant your roots, make sure your soil will help you thrive.