Old Horizons, New Horizons

It's official. I have finally graduated from High School. I can still not believe it has been twelve years since I started elementary school to where I am today, an 18 year old teen with high hopes on becoming a world travelling journalist. Before I start my first semester down at Mizzou, I have a whole summer planned at my new job at the Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve in Jack Glean, West Virginia. I'm not entirely sure what my actual duties are. All I know is that I am part of the base camp staff that sets up tents for incoming troops. During my free time, I plan on using the opportunity to go zip lining, white water rafting, and riding mountain bikes as well as ATVs down big trails on the property.

Looking back on my time in Illinois, I find it bittersweet. There have been some memories in my life I regret and some people didn't treat me as fairly as I hoped they would, but then there are the great memories of hanging out and making new friends in High School. When I first started at Lyons Township High School, I had no idea what I was going to get myself into. Then, I joined the freshman lacrosse team, became a key player, and became friends with some fun people. Sophomore year came along resulting in a clash between me and Chemistry Accel. Chem Accel, was the most stressful class I have ever taken. Chemistry also made me make the decision of never becoming a scientist of anything. There was too much math and too many difficult chemistry problems I could never understand. Sophomore year was also the year I took Introduction to Journalism. During this class, I conducted interviews with circus performers, local students, as well as a few local political figures. Introduction to Journalism really made me want to pursue a career as a journalist. Junior year was the busiest years I had in high school, not only did I take two AP classes; AP U.S. History and AP Environmental Science (resulting in me earning 8 AP credit hours), I tried out for the school yearbook and got signed on as a writer for Senior year. Taking AP Environmental Science first semester was an absolute ball. Not only was I the only Junior in a class full of Seniors, the Seniors and my APES teacher really helped me understand the big problems happening around the world in pollution and deforestation through fun labs and field trips to local sewage plants, green houses, ponds for pollution data, and the only small canyon in Cook County. This ultimately, leads to Senior Year. Senior year was really fun for me. I wrote as many as 15 stories for the LT yearbook and I got phone numbers from many people who wanted to hang with me. Lunch conversations were always centered around recent topics, and I got to take an improv class where I was viewed as one of the funny kids in my class.

So many people have helped me along my journey, I just want to say thank you to all who read this. You have supported me in every way you possibly could. Without you, my friends, family, teachers, advisers, and coaches, I wouldn't have made it this far. Here's to a new journey in the next big section of my life.