The last 13 years of my life have been all about school. Not necessarily the classes I took or the homework I should have done, but about the friends I’ve made, the ways I’ve learned to grow, and most importantly the snacks I’ve taken from my peers. Every school, in every state, I’ve been to has taught me different things about myself and the world around me that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise, and I am incredibly grateful.

     I think it’s crazy that I sit here, writing this farewell letter, happier than I’ve ever been in all my time in middle school and high school. I have the best friends, I’m going to college, and I finally grew out my bob. Though I don’t think I’ve fully grown out of my “awkward” phases, I’ve definitely grown out of most. My favorite phases I’ve been through include my very long Broadway phase, my “not a band kid but a kid in band” era, my indie era, and most recently my Taylor Swift era (but I haven’t grown out of this one). All of my many phases and eras, although gone, haven’t left me. Each and every version of Anna Sofia lives within me and pushes me to be the person writing this today. I look back at pictures and videos of myself from each era and my first instinct is to cringe or beg whoever brought it up to stop, but then I stop and remember that the girl in that picture or video is still me. I’m still the same Anna Sofia from sixth grade who loved the color yellow and a deep side-part in her hair. I’m still the same Anna Sofia from ninth grade who struggled to make friends during online school, had bright blue hair, and begged her mom for a nose piercing. Although my appearance has changed tremendously, my personality and feelings haven’t – it’s just grown and matured into who I am today at 18 years old.

     I wanted to share some of the most important lessons I learned in high school in hopes that they could keep some people from making the same mistakes: Sometimes it’s better to show up late than not at all, your mom is usually right, if your sister says your outfit is ugly – it is, it’s always better to have a few good friends than lots of meh friends, and finally, always choose yourself. Take these lessons with a grain of salt, maybe you already know them or maybe you haven’t gotten to a place where you’re ready to admit it. The lessons learned in high school will follow you for the rest of your life, so choose wisely.

     Everything I’ve learned in high school wasn’t learned alone, so I have plenty of people to thank for helping me learn to grow and become the best person I can be. To my mom, sister, and grandma, thank you for being my best friends. I lack the words to explain how you’ve supported me and shown me right from wrong. You all inspire me to be better every single day. Lulu, you have so many amazing things ahead of you next year at Plano Senior and I am fully confident that you will rule this school. To my dad and my brother, thank you for being the funniest people I’ve ever met. You both can truly turn any frown upside down and drive me absolutely insane, but I know I’ll miss it in a few months. Taco, I’m so proud of everything you do at St. Marks and am excited to see what you do next year. 

     To Libby, the best friend a girl could ever ask for, thank you for always being there for me and putting up with me even when no one else could. You are the kindest, most generous, and funniest person I’ve ever met. You make me laugh when I feel like I’ll never laugh again and make me smile on my worst days. I could never imagine a better person to eat lunch with every day. To Chloe, Neybia, Kennedy, and Sasha, thank you for making me feel like the “group leader” and going along with all my wildest dreams. I love you all more than you’ll ever know. I feel so incredibly lucky to have friends like you in my life. I know that even though we’ll all be far away from each other, nothing will change between us. Kayleigh, my buddy, good luck next year as editor. You are so smart and capable, I do not doubt that you will do an amazing job. Ms. James, thank you for always being there when I needed to chat and gossip with, and give advice. I’ve had the best time being able to work with you and learn from you. I want to thank a group of friends who have pushed me to be the best editor I could be like no other, so thank you to the Wildcat Tales writers from last year. The love I have for this journalism department and writing would be nothing without our wonderful friendship last year. I am forever grateful to all these people I’ve mentioned, and so many more. 

     High school has been the hardest four years of my life, but I am so grateful I got to experience them in Plano. Thank you so much Clark High School, Plano Senior High School, and all the amazing teachers I’ve had the privilege of being taught by for memories and an education that I will never forget. It’s a great day to be a Wildcat, a Clark Cougar, and an Indiana Hoosier!