Being part of Journalism for the last four years, I’ve read countless senior reflections. I always pressured the seniors to finish quickly, thinking it was the easiest piece of writing they’ve ever had to do. However, as I write my own, I realize how difficult it is to summarize every moment and feeling from four years into just a couple paragraphs.
My freshman year started at a very confusing time. We were still wearing masks and social distancing to some extent, but even the people I had known since kindergarten were unrecognizable after quarantining for a year and a half. Navigating my first year of high school during a time where nobody knew what would happen next led to me having to distinguish between what feelings were a result of COVID-19 and what was simply part of the teenage experience.
Somehow, this lack of familiarity pushed me into trying things that I hadn’t considered in middle school. I had always hoped to eventually become the editor-in-chief of The Zephyr, but I didn’t expect it to happen freshman year. I was also newly into K-pop, which drew me to the club on campus where I met some of my closest friends. Both of these programs shaped my high school experience into one that I can look back on fondly.
Sophomore year was where the time began to fly. I was taking my first AP class, started as president of K-pop Club, and was still learning how to run the ship in Journalism. While I was learning, I made mistakes along the way that helped make my upperclassmen years smooth and enjoyable.
Junior year was a transitional period for me. I began to realize that things were getting serious, and I needed to start focusing on preparing for college, even if it was early. My leadership skills improved a lot this year, and I grew closer to the people in my clubs and classes. Taking two AP classes on top of my extracurriculars felt difficult to keep up with, especially when I was participating in activities outside of my own clubs, but it was still manageable. It was the calm before the storm.
The busiest year so far has been my senior year. For the majority of this year, the fears surrounding college applications took over my thoughts. I spent my Sunday afternoons writing essays and had multiple counselors look over my applications before I submitted them with hopes that I did everything right. Fortunately, my efforts proved to be worth it and in the fall I will be attending my dream school, UC Davis.
While I’ve had many teachers in my time at West, there are a few who have stood out to me over the years. Mr. Haut, who still shouts: “Good morning, Ellie!” every time he sees me, always made me smile both in and out of the classroom. Miss McMahon, who encouraged my interest in history, was amazing as both a teacher and as an ear to lend to me. Mrs. Espinoza, who introduced me to some of my favorite pieces of writing, inspired my own writing and taught me skills that I can apply to anything I do. Lastly, Mr. Farrens, who recognized my talents outside of the classroom and took away the dread of learning math.
One of my most influential teachers that I cannot forget to thank is Ms. Lockard. She began as my ninth-grade biology teacher but has also served as my K-pop club advisor for four years. Not only has she been a wonderful advisor who has put in countless hours for our club, she was the inspiration behind my decision to study biology (specifically Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity) and plan to become a high school biology teacher.
I cannot put into words the amount of gratitude that I have for Ms. Eheler. Her support through my time in Journalism over the last four years has built me into the leader that I am today. She provided me with opportunities that I could not have gotten anywhere else, such as conferences where I got to improve my writing skills and chances to connect with our local government. Whether we were rushing to get articles published by the end of the semester or laughing so hard that she almost crashed the school van, Ms. Eheler always made Journalism feel like a second home.
My biggest piece of advice for underclassmen is to take every opportunity that you are given in high school. You only have four years to be in clubs, play sports, and take the classes that you want before they are no longer available. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, because everything that is scary at first will eventually feel like second nature if you put yourself out there enough. I was extremely shy when it came to performing freshman year, but ten rallies and multiple Lip Sync showcases later, I don’t feel any nerves when I’m about to step onto a stage. Don’t let your fear of people seeing you hold you back from trying something you could end up loving.
I am glad to say that I look back on my high school years with bittersweet nostalgia. While I can’t wait to finally be done with school, and I am excited to move on to the next chapter in my life, I cherish the memories I made and people that I met along the way.
