I really can’t fathom the fact that after three years (yes, three. I’m graduating early), I’m all done with high school. It feels almost surreal.

High school has been the best and worst three years of my life. It taught me way more than I ever imagined it would teach me. I walked into my freshman year so young and innocent and I’m walking out with so much more knowledge than I would have ever anticipated.

Coming into freshman year, I was excited to start a new chapter of my life. I was ready for all the “High School Musical” experiences I was going to make, but that dream fell short and high school literally beat me down. I lost my group of friends, which hurt considering I thought I would go through high school with them.

Eventually, I became so distant from everyone, my insecurities were through the roof, and honestly, I just felt so alone. Luckily, as the year went by things got better. I made a bunch of new friends and I was able to maintain a very high GPA.

And then sophomore year hit me like a plane hitting a bird. Emotionally, sophomore year was the most difficult. My GPA dropped and I watched myself change into a person I didn’t want to be. Things were hard at home and honestly, I think I cried more than I smiled. Thankfully, I took journalism; writing was one of the very few things that kept me happy.

My junior and senior year were mushed into one chaotic year (you can imagine the workload). Let me tell you, senioritis hit me HARD. My grades were so terrible, but the worst part about it was that, sadly, I didn’t care. In fact, I didn’t care about anything.

However, I was extremely lucky. My teachers have been the most amazing teachers imaginable. Even though I didn’t give my all during this school year and I truly struggled to get through, they still always had faith in me. They’ve been so supportive and helped make me into the women I will be when I walk across that graduation stage.

Watkins Mill has a bad reputation. Everyone knows it. But if I could do it again at ANY high school, I would still choose Watkins Mill every single time. The staff here are genuinely the best staff because they care so much. Sometimes, I would be so overwhelmed with life that I would just break down crying and they were always there to support me.

And lastly, I need to address one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. Mrs. Confino, I have known you since freshman year. I’ve known you from my gorgeous pregnant English teacher up to now, my astounding published newspaper teacher. Now grab some tissues so you don’t get tears all over the computer!

Confino, you’ve become the mother figure whom I know I can always talk to. You have given me advice and picked me up from my lowest points. Because of you, I found my passion for journalism and you truly made me love myself again. I really can’t believe I have to say goodbye to you. From the bottom of my heart, I genuinely love you more than words can express. Thank you so much for everything. And even though I’m gone, please NEVER stop sending me pictures of Jacob.

Even though high school kicked my butt harder than I ever imagined it would, it also taught me lessons that will last a lifetime. I’m so happy with the person that I’ve become. It’s been real Watkins Mill — a little TOO real at times — but still, I appreciate it all because it’s prepared me for the next chapter in my life.