Peace Out Bulldog Nation…

Good byes have always been hard for me. Whether it be at the end of a week at summer camp or a fun family vacation, I often times feel like I need just a few more minutes. And now as I close out my time here at Bowie, that feeling has come flooding back. But I know that we all have new beginnings and bright days ahead, so that helps ease the bitterness of this difficult goodbye. I found myself rushing through the first three years here, counting down the days to leave. But once I learned to slow down senior year, I learned to truly appreciate the people and community I have here.

First of all, I would like to thank my teachers because Bowie has really outdone itself with the fantastic staff. Mr. Garcia, thank you for keeping me in line. You care about your students like no other teacher I’ve had, and I am beyond grateful for the sense of community you’ve established not only in PALS, but in our school. Ms. Wiedmeyer, thank you for constantly opening my mind to new ideas and for giving me a safe space to step out of my comfort zone. You not only taught me how to write a solid essay, but how to be more open minded and be a better human. Ms. Maney, thank you for being so welcoming to me from the day you met me. You have given me so many cool opportunities through Bowie Buddies, and I am so appreciative of that and your love. Ms. Flick, thank you for giving me a reason to get excited about learning again. High school classes can get monotonous, but I looked forward to 7th period calc every b-day this year (with the exception of the day we had our integration exam). You are so much fun, thanks for getting me out of the bushes! Ms. Hall, thanks for always listening to me no matter how annoying I get and for giving me opportunities to do what I love by casting me hehe. I’m so thankful I got to work with someone like you for the past three years. Lastly, Reeves, you’re the bomb. Thank you for helping me become a better writer, for giving me the freedom to write my column, and for being patient with me when I become a slight nuisance. You are not like any teacher I’ve ever had, and I’m going to miss your sarcasm, stories, and passion for journalism.

I want to give a huge thanks to my family. Y’all are my legitimate day ones. Thank you for reading every article, coming to every theatre performance, and for listening to me blabber on about anything and everything for the past 18 years. I love you guys more than I know how to put in words, and I’m so thankful I got stuck with you weirdos as my fam bam.

I honestly don’t know where I’d be without my friends, so thanks to you guys for so many things. C, A, K, H – You embrace every side of me, and build me up constantly. Thank you for being the best support system throughout our past many years of school together. College may separate us physically, but that distance has nothing on our sisterhood (; Y’all know I could never say goodbye to you, so here’s to many more years of Chuy’s dates, pool days, stupid jokes, embarrassing each other, staying up all night, jam sessions, cry sessions, and traveling together. I love you guys to pieces.

Next, I would like to thank Netflix and Spotify for keeping me entertained. If it weren’t for Portlandia, The Office, Gossip Girl, and New Girl, I wouldn’t have had shows to binge watch while I procrastinated my homework. And If it weren’t for the many playlists created over the years, my friends and I wouldn’t have been able to create the soundtracks for every milestone we shared.

Lastly, I would like to thank Nature Valley granola bars and chai tea lattes for fueling me the past four years and for tasting so good.

These four years were not the best of my life, but they definitely contained some of the best moments I’ll ever have. Thank you Bowie for the countless opportunities, laughter, tears, friendships, and memories. You will be missed.