I took my first journalism class my freshman year with Mrs. Stoker. I had never taken a class quite like it before, and I immediately appreciated the creative freedom journalism brings. The feeling of your voice being heard is priceless in my opinion. Something Mrs. Stoker would always say, “Maximize truth, minimize harm”, not only relates to journalism, but real life as well. 

Throughout my four years, I have noticed that there’s a lot of unknown in high school. However, one thing I have always been certain of is that having a support system can completely change any situation. Knowing that I have someone who will always come to my rescue and support me has saved me even in my darkest of times. I think it is essential for everyone to have this person. For me, this is my mom. I could write an entire essay on how much my mom has helped me, but all you need to know is that, without a doubt, I have the best mom in the world. My mom is the strongest person I have ever met, who has dealt with unimaginable struggles, yet I’ve never once heard her complain about them. She’s the kind of mom my friends go to when they need advice or help, and she can always tell when someone needs a hug. She’s my favorite person, my best friend, and my role model. I aspire to be even a fraction of the person she is when I’m older. Having such an amazing person to look up to has been very important in the journey of becoming the person I am today. 

I have realized nearing the end of my high school career that I, along with many other people, have certainly made my fair share of mistakes. I think it is a common trope in high school to want to be popular. Going to parties, changing yourself to have people like you, even losing sight of your real friends to appease the “popular” crowd. As someone who not only has lived through this phase, but also having to see my closest friends change themself just to be accepted socially, I cannot stress enough how damaging and unnecessary this is. We all know the feeling of getting invited to your first party, you finally feel accepted and wanted, however this feeling is only temporary. I encourage anyone reading who may be going through this phase to remind yourself high school popularity is short lived. College will be here before you know it and your social status will not carry over; but a strong friendship will. Spend time with the people who make you happy and fulfilled; not who provides you the popular title. I know for me personally, high school has been a very tumultuous time in my life. I have been part of many different friend groups, had multiple friendships I thought would last forever fall through, but one thing that has been made apparent to me is to never doubt a friend that sticks with you through everything. To me, those are my friends Talia and Casey; who at this point are more like my sisters. I know my already difficult high school career would have only been made more tough without them. I am so grateful to have someone like them, especially seeing so many people around me without a friendship like ours. I encourage anyone reading this to reflect on your friendships you have made here at WHS, don’t be the person who takes your friends for granted searching for something better. Appreciate who you have, because soon you will be going separate ways, and your friendships based on the foundations of popularity will not be able to weather the storm. 

I hadn’t really noticed how important it is to have a teacher you trust, can go to with any struggle, and know they wholeheartedly want to help. Up until recently, I hadn’t ever formed connections with teachers, simply because I didn’t find it necessary. However, more recently I have been blessed to have had amazing teachers who I know only want the best for me. A really amazing teacher can make a difference, but only if you let them. Along with many other students, my senior year has been the hardest for me. The stress of determining my future, navigating social life, and learning to say goodbye to the people I’ve been surrounded with since the age of 6 has been bittersweet. I found myself at multiple times during the year needing to talk to someone, but not knowing where to go. Sooner or later in times of crisis, I found myself in Mrs. Papettis room. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a support system in school. But now looking back, I’m not sure how I would have made it without her support. Whether it be staying after school to help me study, or spending her lunch with me while I was completely overwhelmed, I am so grateful to have had a teacher like her when I needed it most.

I still remember my first day of freshman year. Walking through the halls, struggling to find my classes, and seeing the seniors who looked so much older than me. However I remember my older brother, Jack, telling me to enjoy high school because it will be over before I know it. I shrugged this off and didn’t understand how four years could possibly be over in the blink of an eye. However now, as I am in my last few days of high school, I can confirm that these last few years have completely passed me by. I was always looking forward to the next thing, freshman year I was thinking of sophomore year. sophomore year I was thinking of junior year. junior year I was thinking of senior year. And honestly, all I’ve thought about this year is college. I’ve never been the type to live in the moment, however after experiencing time flying like it has here at WHS, I have decided to reconsider this. My advice to anyone reading is to live in the now, enjoy where you’re at, especially as a senior. 

 I’d like to thank Westborough High School for shaping me into the person I am today, for giving me my two amazing best friends, and having such great teachers for students to learn from. As I move forward in my life, I will forever be grateful I decided to branch out and take journalism my freshman year. “Maximize truth, minimize harm” started off as a quote about journalism, yet has morphed into something much more to me. I continue to relate back to that quote, and will try my best to live up to it everyday from now on.  I am exceptionally excited to see what University of Rhode Island has in store for me, and I don’t doubt WHS has made me ready to embark on the next chapter in my life.