I will miss spending time with people I have grown up with as well as people I met through high school. Whether it’s laughing about the silliest things during P.E. class or having the most bizarre conversations in AP Lit or even just reminiscing about “the good old days” with my closest friends, I will miss a lot of the enjoyable experiences that I have had the privilege to share with a lot of really great people.

I am most proud of my ability to stay motivated and be resilient. Taking more challenging classes and getting involved with clubs and activities was a lot to juggle for me, but I really made it a priority to always put forth my best effort and find a good balance between my schoolwork and activities. Discovering what worked well for me to stay motivated and resilient, even when school got tough, was a long process, but I am glad that I was able to figure it all out from my time at PR.

I hope to be remembered as someone who respects others, always comes to school/work with a great attitude, and is reliable. It is my hope that people remember me this way because I want to be a good role model for others and have a positive impact on those around me. Since I am planning to teach and inspire younger students in the future, this is definitely the legacy that I wish to leave behind.

My hope for next year is that I make it into the Marching Illini because participating in marching band and playing music is an important part of my life. I also hope to make new friendships along the way.

This year taught me how important it is to cherish times spent with friends, family, people at school, etc., especially the smaller moments. I also learned to have a lot of resilience because it helps to cope with stress, hardships, change, and loss. Furthermore, this year has taught me that trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone works well to gain self-confidence.