As they say, high school is the greatest four years of your life. I cannot beg to differ, I think that these past four years have definitely been some of the best. There is so much else waiting in the world for us though, and we should think of these years, until our last years of life, as a collection of wonderful memories, great people, and good times.

Being a Tracy High Bulldog was definitely a great way to spend my high school career. I cannot think of anywhere else that I would have rather been at. It is a great place to learn, and has a great community of students and families.

Going back to my freshman self, I would tell that 14-year old kid to work your absolute hardest, to be involved even more, and to not worry about what everyone else thought all the time.

As my years progressed at Tracy High, one of the most important things I came to realize was to not care so much about what everyone else thinks and to just do what makes you happy. I think that many of us needed to realize that earlier and now think how life could have been easier.

From where I am at today, a very happy, ready to graduate senior, I think one of the greatest choices I made attending this school was joining the journalism class. I have taken it for three years and it has taught me so much and very different ways of writing. It is a class I would recommend to almost every incoming freshman.

Although I enjoyed my years of journalism, my biggest regret in high school is not being in Leadership. In my junior and senior years I have been a part of many of the events at Tracy High not only being involved in them, but also the set up and preparation for these events. Many of my best friends are in Leadership, and I would tell my freshman self to take that class as well. Even though I am a great part in being a leader at Tracy, I did not have the opportunity to be in that class since I was more intrigued in continuing my lead role in the journalism class.

I have had many great teachers here at Tracy High, but just as many bad ones. The teachers who I’ve enjoyed dealing with and who have taught me the most in school are definitely Mrs. Wallace and Mr. Thallander. Mrs. Wallace will light up your day the second you walk into her classroom, and she is one of the most genuine and sweetest ladies I have met in my life. Her heavy homework load is completely justified by what an amazing person she is. Mr. Thallander’s generosity to his students and the aid and endless time and effort he puts in reflects not only in his class, but Tracy High as a whole.

My parents have helped support me throughout my high school career, along with sports, extra-curricular activities such as community service, mock trial, journalism, and so many other things. I definitely could not have done it without my incredible friends, though. The laughter during school and many long nights out will never be forgotten. I am blessed with such a great support system.

In my house we live by the mottos “Live, Laugh, Love,” and “Live your life to the fullest.” I have been living by both throughout my high school career and I cannot wait to pass those ideas on to my future children and family. Everyone should live by those words.

In the fall, I plan to attend Weber State University in Utah for the next four years where I will be majoring in International Marketing, and later hope to pursue a career in that field.

Being a high school student definitely shapes you as a person and prepares you for life’s journeys ahead. Whether you’re going into high school, coming out, or just in the middle, think about what you have done so far, and what else you have to accomplish. Reach for the stars and just do it.