2016 Seniors: This One's For You

In my journal, I wrote about this topic all of the time. These are people with whom I shared the most wonderful and the reason why my freshman year was always one of my favorite years of high school. Freshman year, musical and cheerleading were my two priorities, and those places are where I met a ton of 2016 seniors, which I never thought would happen because of how shy I was. I swear, though, some of the kindest people I’ve ever met were in that graduating class, and I would love to tell you about them.

I’d like to start out with Cassie. We were cheerleaders together and she was someone I always remember looking up to. Cassie, I swear, is one of the most beautiful humans I’ve ever seen and is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. Even though we were never the closest of friends, she always makes it a priority to say hi to me and give me a hug whenever we’re in the same place, which has more meaning to me than she will ever know. Cassie, you are a beautiful human inside and out and I wish absolutely nothing but love and happiness for you. Thank you for taking me under your wing and always making me smile.

Cassie and I before our first football game.

Next, I like to briefly touch on someone I met through musical that year. We became instant friends. Even though we don’t talk anymore, he played a huge part in making my freshman year so memorable, and it meant so much to me that we were such good friends for a while.

Hey Jacob, you’re next. I guess I can admit that you had an impact on my life too… In all seriousness, Jacob and I are still friends to this day. Looking back, I love it that I’ve always been able to be comfortable around Jacob. We’ve been teasing each other ever since the day we met. I know Jacob because he was the star of our musical freshman year (it was The Music Man, if you were wondering), and I never really thought that we’d become such good friends. Jacob has always been someone I’ve looked up too. He’s always had an incredible talent for music and his dedication to it is so admirable. His passion makes me want to strive to be a better musician every day. Since he graduated, he’s been helping with our musicals. He’s one of those people who’s so easy to be around and talk too. Jacob is one cool guy, and even though he teases me non-stop for every little thing I do, he’s always been like a second brother to me. Jacob, if it weren’t for you, I don’t think I’d have as much confidence as I do now. Thank you for always encouraging me to do my best and always having the faith in me that I don’t have in myself.

Jacob and I when we were in the same journalism class.

Next is one of my favorite people to ever walk the planet. Maddy, you are truly one of a kind. I am so incredibly lucky to have someone like you in my life. I remember being a freshman and thinking, “I want to be just like Maddy,” but no one could ever replace someone like you. I met Maddy through cheerleading, and we’ve been inseparable since then. Maddy is the literal sunshine on the cloudiest day, and I have no idea how she does it, but she is the most positive, uplifting person I’ve ever known. I used to be sure that once she left me behind in high school, I’d never see or hear from her again, but that is so far from the case. Since then, I feel like we’ve gotten even closer even though we don’t talk everyday like we used too. We’ve been on ice cream date, I’ve met her wonderful boyfriend, and I’ve even been promised a spot in her wedding party when the time comes (I’m holding you to that, Maddy). Overall, I want to give you the biggest thank you for not leaving me behind when you went off to college, thank you for sticking by the awkward little freshman attempting to learn 200 cheers before the season started, but most of all, thank you for being the wonderful person you are because it makes me want to be a better person. You are one of the most important people in my life and I love you to the moon and back. You deserve every ounce of happiness this world has to give.

Maddy & I after her graduation

Katy, it’s your time to shine… Holy cow. I don’t know what I’d do if I never would have met Katy. She is one incredible person with a heart of literal gold. I met Katy in choir, but we grew very close during the musical. She played a Pick-A-Little lady and I simply played a featured dancer. It’s still crazy to me that a senior would want to make such good friends with a freshman. Katy is one of my very best friends. I used to brag to people about how I had a best friend that was a senior when I was only a freshman. Going into senior year this year, I wanted to be the friend to someone else that Katy was to me. I wanted to meet everyone I could and impact someone’s life in such a positive way like she did for me. Katy is the hardest worker I’ve ever met while also taking the role of most caring. She’s an embodiment of the person that I should always strive to be like. Since graduating, Katy has never left my side and I still consider her one of my very best friends. Katy, you are a person I strive to be like. You have a passion and dedication for every single thing that you do whether big or small. You face challenges head on and without any hesitation. You are the sweetest, most passionate, loving person I’ve ever known and I am so lucky to have the privilege of calling you my very best friend. Thank you for taking me under your wing and loving me for who I am. Because of you, being myself isn’t so scary. By watching and learning from you, I’ve learned to be more me and to put my heart and soul into everything that I do. You are a beautiful human inside and out, and I love you more than words could possibly express. I am so blessed to know someone like you, Katy.

Katy & I at musical practice.