When I was in eighth grade, signing up for high school classes, I vividly remember referring to the next four years of my life as “impending doom.” I was semi-serious when I voiced my concerns of getting stuffed in lockers to my mom. The idea of surviving all the way to graduation seemed far-fetched at best. Needless to say, I seem to have survived. High school hasn’t been hard in the ways I anticipated; Ames High is a unique community full of opportunities and friendships. What I didn’t foresee was how hard it is to grow up. Trying to figure out who I am in the midst of homework, AP classes, and other activities is something I didn’t anticipate. Of course I’m nowhere near to knowing, but I’m four years closer. Honestly, I think I’ll never really know. It’s a comfort to know that I’m a perpetual work in progress, that I won’t ever really grow up. This summer I’ll go to Uganda, then September will find me at Lawrence University, where I’ll find more pieces of who I’m meant to be. I owe so much to so many people. The teachers of Ames High are amazing people, and they don’t get nearly as much recognition as they deserve. I want to thank, in particular, Mme Dobernecker, Mr Johnson, Mr Webb, Mr Schmidt, Mrs Seibert, Mr Mooney, Mr Zmolek, Mrs Brenneman, Mr Cogdill, and Mr Sparkman. I’m so grateful that I got to experience the legendary Mr Cullinan, even if only for a semester. These teachers have greatly influenced my high school experience, how I see myself, and how I see the world. My classmates deserve mounds of gratitude as well. Thank you guys for putting up with me, building friendships, and making memories. To quote Elle Woods, “We did it!” (Legally Blonde, anyone?) Finally, I want to give a shout-out to sophomore Kyle Tesdall, who has been asking me all year to feature him in the WEB, and has patiently waited, as time and again, I fail to remember his request. This goes to Kyle and all the underclassmen: Enjoy your lives. They’ll only happen once. #YOLO!