“Good times become good memories, but bad times become good lessons,” Aang said. As a kid, I didn’t really understand what he meant, but now, at 18, it makes more sense than ever.

High school didn’t unfold the same way for me as it did for others. When people say “High school passes fast,” I honestly can’t relate. I feel like I lived so many lives. I spent two sides of high school in two different systems, languages and realities. When I first arrived at this school, I had no expectations. All I knew was I needed to keep being a good student because that’s all I had ever known. Although some days were full of surprises, that’s what made this journey special and meaningful.

Throughout these four years, I found some of the best connections here and in Senegal. I came from a system where all that mattered was school: endless studying, tests and national exams. I’m grateful I got the chance to experience a different system, one that allowed me to grow beyond academics. However, although there is more academic pressure, I miss group studying and hanging out with my friends next to the ocean.

I’m going to miss both worlds, but I’m sooo glad it’s over. It was sometimes lonely, stressful and frustrating, but I still did it. I was scared, but I kept moving forward anyway, and I think that’s what matters most. 

To the 2025-2026 staff: 

Thank you everyone for your hard work and efforts, we are finally done! Although sometimes I’m tired of the noises and overstimulated, it still made the class fun and less boring, for that I say thank you. Gabriel don’t scare the future staff members…

To Pinkham: 

I remember in my first year on staff, when I asked you who your favorite of Rory’s boyfriends was and you said Logan, that’s when I knew I would like you. On a serious note, you were one of my first teachers, and that will always stick with me. You made me feel more brave and confident taking pictures, and I’m so glad you did. Thank you for trusting me with your cameras, and especially making me your photo editor, it was truly one of the highlights of my senior year. I’m also so thankful for your warmth and care. You genuinely radiate such wonderful energy. Thank you for not only being our teacher, but also our doctor, therapist and friend. I’m so grateful I got to have you as my teacher these past two years. You’ve saved my schedule so many times, and you always give such good advice about literally everything. I hope I become an adult like you someday. And whenever I have the urge to drink an energy drink, I’ll remember your angry face at Jenny. 

To Mr. Hale:

I’m so glad you encouraged us to join UIL journalism. At first, it was challenging because the subject felt so unfamiliar to me, but now I’m truly grateful I joined. Not only did it strengthen my writing skills, but it also gave me the chance to compete in something I genuinely enjoyed. I also feel like I got to know you better this year, and you’ve influenced me in so many ways, even through small things, like the mini notebook habit, which I know I’ll keep in the future. Thank you as well for always sharing your random facts and knowledge with us. I would love to have a memory like yours someday and be as cultivated. 

To Jenny:

sense. I still remember when I first saw you in Newspaper. You were wearing such a cute outfit, and you seemed so smart. Then right after that, we ended up in the same AP Humanities class. By senior year, we somehow had almost the same exact schedule and so many similar life experiences. I genuinely loved all our conversations, debates and shared opinions. Thank you for being such an honest and wonderful person. And in 10 years, when we’re doctors and lawyers, don’t forget you can count on me for everything… except math and constant texting. Just know you’ve made yourself a lifelong sister, Little C.

To Interact:

My first club ended up becoming my everything. From secretary to vice president, I’m so grateful I joined that first meeting and never stopped showing up after that. What made this organization more than just a club to me were the officers. Naija: We literally went through so much in this club, but I’m glad I got to meet you. Thank you so much for the car rides, and I enjoyed all of our conversations. You are literally the best president ever. Keep being yourself, because that’s one of your greatest strengths. Augusta: I’m glad we got close. I’m literally probably the only person who finds you the funniest person ever, but I really admire how smart you are and the bright energy you bring. Neveah: I’m so grateful we got closer at RYLA. You are such a cool and energetic person, and I genuinely love you for that. I hope you enjoy living outside of Texas. Rafa: You are one of the coolest juniors, keep your energy and stay as chill as you are. I hope you enjoy your senior year, I know you are going to do good. Morgan: I remember when we met at the CVS cleanup, I instantly felt a connection and your warmth. Thank you for being the cutest ever. I know you are going to do as good as president, I’m excited to hear all about it next year. Larry and Liezel: Although I didn’t get the chance to become super close with you guys, I already like y’all. I’m so glad Interact is getting passed down to y’all, I know you are going to do good. Finally Mrs. Sick: You’ve truly pushed me out of my comfort zone, not in a forced way, but by implementing such small habits we eventually started embodying them naturally. Thank you for your support, your humor and everything and beyond that. 

To Mr. Hollowell: 

I don’t even know where to begin, so I just want to start with thank you. Thank you for listening, for noticing and for being such a source of aspiration. I’m grateful I got to have you as my teacher these past two years, but also as my adviser. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever felt understood as a writer before, and the fact you did will always stick with me. I’ve always been told I was too complicated and my ideas were too complex, but for you, they always seemed simple to understand, and I will always be grateful for that. I think most of your students feel the same. You’ve genuinely given me hope in humanity, just knowing I share this world with someone as caring and full of love as you are. I’ve always believed a teacher shouldn’t only care about grades because teachers play such an important role in a student’s life. You truly embody that, and that’s rare. I hope you continue being such a wonderful person and I know you will keep being such a positive influence to everyone around you. You were one of my first teachers here, and during my very first week in your class, I already knew I would be fine just by hearing how passionate you were. Thank you again, words cannot fully express my gratitude. 

To Mr. Hamilton: 

I always talk about your class because I genuinely enjoyed it so much. Thank you for being so passionate about what you teach and for sharing your adventures with us. You are honestly one of the coolest teachers ever, and I aspire to have the same passion for knowledge and history like you do. Thank you for putting so much effort not only in your class, but also in JWAC. I’ll never forget that one time you stayed after school for a JWAC meeting, and it ended up being just the two of us. Moments like that where you took the time for the club means a lot to me.

Lewis, Lauren and Alyssa: I’m so glad I got close to both of you through AP Statistics. You both have such bright energies. Lewis: You are literally a ray of sunshine. I really admire your positivity and generosity. Thank you for being you, Lewis. I hope you know how much you mean to us, I’m gonna miss you. Lauren: Thank you for always being helpful in every possible way. I’m so glad we became friends. I always look forward to seeing you and talking about literally anything. Alyssa: Thank you for always being so funny and kind. I wish you were here during the second semester, but I’m always happy to see your bright smile. 

To Myself:

Thank you. Thank you for being so strong and adaptable. These past two years weren’t easy but you did it, now rest and enjoy your summer AND GO GET THAT LICENSE.  To Yasin in 10 years: I hope by the time you read this, you’ve traveled to every continent, eaten food from all over the world, read countless books from different languages, changed a stranger’s life and lastly made lifelong connections. At first, I was going to say “I hope you’re in law school,” but honestly it will be one of the smallest things you accomplish in this world. I’ll be proud knowing you achieved one of our goals, but what will truly make me happy is knowing you became the version of yourself you always dreamed of being. I think that’s what matters the most in this world. Don’t ever forget who you are. Don’t neglect your values or principles. Keep being a force in this world, and stay resilient no matter what it throws at you. Most importantly, respect yourself and always choose yourself. Don’t stress too much. Adapt and keep moving forward, because somehow it always works out. Find joy and happiness in the smallest moments, because those moments are what build a lifetime of happiness. Lastly, be who you want to be. Never live according to society’s expectations. Let yourself be a prism. Never let yourself feel small, make your wildest dreams come true. “Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Embody this quote, and remember: Hope is something you give yourself, even in the darkest tunnels.