If you ever heard an aggressive rant about a certain homework assignment or test, or an indignant stream of protests coming from the corner of the classroom, it was probably me, a professional chronic complainer. It’s crazy how it became a common theme for high school students to “hate” coming to school and doing their work, and I admit that I myself was too caught up in that stereotype until the last deadline night I had in the journalism room. 

Although everyone screeched and cheered in excitement when we heard the news that school would be paused until April 20, never did any of us expect for it to actually be called off for the rest of the year. We had all expected a month-long hiatus, but we were sure that we would be able to return to reunite with our missed friends, classmates and teachers. Only when this privilege was stripped away from me did I realize that what they say is true, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” 

And because of this I would like to honor all the tragic, yet somehow exciting, memories that can be summed up into my one hell of a high school journey. 

First of all, I would like to thank my friends. Imagine not having someone to call at 3 a.m. to rant about the trivial obstacles of life or to study together with for a test score we all know it’s too late to salvage. The friends I gained throughout these four years were what made my entire experience; coming into DBHS as a shy and soft-spoken freshman, I would have never been able to imagine that I would become the over-excited and “slightly more outgoing” senior that I am today. 

Next I would like to thank Mr. List! Although I’m always glued to the computer in the corner of the room, trying to resolve the million crises that seem to befall Feature everyday, the journalism room is truly the one place on campus where I can be myself and feel emotions other than depression at school. Ever since walking into the journalism classroom in freshman year, I knew this was the environment where I would be able to find my home for the next few years, despite your savage attacks on me and my poor Tik Tok dancing skills. You have not only taught me to become a better writer, but you have also instilled a priceless, newfound confidence in me that will definitely prove essential to all my future endeavors. Maybe you’ll find it cliche after hearing it from hundreds of other students, but joining the paper was genuinely the best choice I have ever made in these past two years.

And finally, I would like to thank my mental health…As someone who tends to “overreact” to the slightest inconveniences, I apologize since I know it wasn’t easy for you to withstand all the mental breakdowns and cry sessions. But natural selection has proved you to be superior because wow, we actually made it to graduation! 

I’m not sure what’s to come in the next phase of my life, but these experiences that have shaped me will never be forgotten. I never thought I’d say this, but thanks DBHS!