I’ve never been great at goodbyes because I usually just end up crying. High school has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth, ready to move on to better things. So I believe there will be tears, but they will be nothing but blissful.

I would like to start off by thanking my mom for being my advocate. She has always fought for me and would do anything for me. She has always threatened to use her legal letterhead when needing to persuade those lacking common sense, so I thank her for that. To my father, I thank him for working so hard during the season and off. I hope one day that you will not only be in my hall of fame but in Toronto, Ontario as well.

To my Dani Boi, in 2014 I watched as you walked across the stage, so I guess now it’s your turn. I’m sorry to have kept you in high school for an extra three years, but I thank you for everything you have put up with. You dried my tears with your smiles and laughs.

Farewell to STGC. Though our time in newspaper was short, I enjoyed working with each of you. High school seems trivial, but y’all made it bearable. Michelle, I wish you the best of luck in your journalism career. Please expose as much as you can. Jon-whale-carcass, I hope you become the famous author/director/YouTuber you want to be. Your work now will only propel you into the future. And Katherine, when I met you, I thought you hated me. Maybe you still do a little. I know your YouTube beauty blog will enrich the lives of those in need, and I cannot wait to see the business empire you will create.

It is easy to think all my struggles will end with high school. But as the Denton County band Bowling for Soup says, “High School Never Ends.” In reality I assume this is true. The maturity of some will never fully develop into anything more than that of a water buffalo. I hope college will provide me with so many new people to meet and help me develop into the woman I want to be.

If I could, I would give LHS the biggest backhand I could muster. But I suppose some of my time was enjoyable. Dr. Harp was the best teacher I have ever had for a core subject. Her infinite historical and life knowledge made every day of both APUSH and AP Euro something to look forward to, even if I was drowning in work. Taking two AP history tests in one day then falling asleep standing up at the band banquet basically sums up my years in high school. These are the times that only made me stronger.

In my final reflections, I am ready for this period in my life to end. I have no need for this childish place anymore. My time here was simply mandatory, and now that my sentence is over, I bid Lewisville High School a very well-deserved goodbye. I will not miss the misinformation. I will not miss the petty fights, and having my lunch taken away. Most of all, I will not miss the childish behavior of those I call my peers. So, here’s to you, LHS. May you always stay the same.