“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace,” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

   This is a very strange time for everyone as this school year comes to a close. Freshmen have to prepare for the move to main. Sophomores have to prepare to be a little more mature so they can scoff at how immature the sophomores are. Juniors have to prepare to be the big dogs on campus. Seniors have to prepare to move on, to move away from this place that has become so familiar to us. It’s a scary time for all.

   I know for me at least there are a lot of emotions going on. I’m scared of the unknown that is life after high school. I am excited to get OUT OF HERE, but I’m going to miss the people and things I’m leaving behind. I can’t wait to get out and start something that’s all mine, but I’m afraid to fail. So as you can see there is a lot of turmoil that comes along with moving on.

   As I move on with my life away from this place there are some things that I will miss dearly and I feel those things need a little recognition here.

   I will miss my drama department family. You guys have taught me so much about the world and about myself. You’ve given me a place to run when everything else in my life was falling apart. You’ve kept me sane through high school and I am so grateful for that.

   I will miss all the amazing teachers I have had over the years. I’ll list them chronologically so I don’t miss any. Mr. Mullin you inspired me to be happy even when things weren’t perfect. Mrs. Lally you taught me to be open to ideas even if they directly contradict my own.

    Mrs. Lowry you made me smile even when I didn’t want to. Mrs. Thompson you made math understandable and you were patient with me when most people would have strung me up by my toes. Mr. Howe you taught me that it’s ok to be crazy. Mr. Zaugg you made physics fun and you always brightened my day.

    Mr. Van Dyke you showed me how much I could accomplish if I really try and you taught me how to be organized (even if the little gnomes are just going to go back and mess it up). Mr. Beckel you gave me a safe place to joke around and laugh at myself. Mr. Baldus you showed me that I could actually create something worthwhile. Mrs. Malmberg you’ve showed me that it is possible to be in a system without losing yourself to that system.

    Mr. Johnson you’ve taught me just how much I can accomplish in one evening. Mr. Leonard you showed me that you don’t have to stop caring about people just because they’re gone. Mrs. Berry you’ve taught me that wanting to learn just for the sake of learning is nothing to be ashamed of.   And last but certainly not least Mrs. Sayles you gave me a second chance and because of that second chance I have found my passion in life and for that I am eternally grateful I will miss you the most.

   I will also miss my newspaper family. As annoying and frustrating as you are I wouldn’t trade you for the world (especially with the state it’s in these days). You guys have been a challenge but it was worth it.

   In the next few weeks things will come to an end, and I know for some it will be a very sad end but aren’t sad ends just disguises worn by beautiful beginnings?

Jenna Pickle Editor-in-Chief