It’s no secret that graduating high school is a huge milestone. It will be the most notable achievement I have completed thus far in life. As my time here at Shanksville ticks away, I am proud to say that I have made many memories at my small school. Whether it be in the classroom or on the baseball field and golf course, Shanksville has taught me to be respectful to everyone I come across in life. All of my teachers and coaches have greatly impacted my life and made the time I’ve been here special. I especially want to thank my parents for supporting me through it all. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to do what makes you happy and to not be afraid to voice your own opinion.

I’m going to especially miss playing sports with my friends, since it was such a significant part of my life growing up. I will also miss the teachers that encouraged me to give nothing less than my best work. However, I do know that there are better things to come, and I’m anxiously awaiting them. I’m hoping that college is an equally exciting experience that will make my next four years just as enjoyable. Graduating with just a class of 27 students has definitely made me interact with the whole school and molded me into a more social person. I had an opportunity to get to know everyone, and I will be forever thankful to get to do that. Therefore, I’m ecstatic to make new friends in the coming years.

Some final advice I would give to underclassmen would be to take high school seriously and enjoy every single moment, because it does not last forever. Finally, I want to again say thank you to everyone at Shanksville-Stonycreek School District for making my high school experience something I will remember all of my life.