High school is a treacherous time. There’s school work and sporting events, school dances and friend drama. Over the course of four years, everyone changes and everyone grows. High school teaches a wide variety of “life lessons,” many of which must be learned the hard way. Although I can only technically speak for myself, I am sure my fellow seniors would agree – high school is full of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Lucky for me, I had a lot of the good, due in part to PLD Lamplighter Media Productions. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of being a part of the school newspaper, and I’ve worked on projects ranging from live sports commentary, to news articles, to operating the gym’s Jumbotron. I’m not sure what my high school experience would have been like without the Lamplighter, and I’m glad I never had to find out. Now, however, I must adjust to life outside of room 203.

Yesterday was my last day serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Lamplighter, as I will be graduating tomorrow. Walking out of Mrs. Turner’s room for the last time was definitely a strange feeling, but I have no doubt next year’s editorial team will continue illuminating the news for the students, by the students. To Brooke and Emily, you will make fantastic editors, and I can’t wait to see all of the new, exciting projects you take on next year. I’ve watched you grow as students, leaders, journalists and, most importantly, human beings, and I know you are fit for the responsibilities that come with being editors. Yes, it’s overwhelming at times, but I’m right down the road if you ever need anything.

To my fellow Lamplighter seniors, I am so excited to see what we accomplish in the coming years. We did a lot of great things this year, and I’m so proud of all of us (yes Connor, even you, Mr. Sno Story of the Week). Keaton, I love you!

To all of the staff members who put up with me this year, thank you for being so patient, so kind and so willing to help. I know I had my moments, so I’m incredibly thankful for each and every single one of you. Over this year, I had the pleasure of getting to know so many amazing people I would not have known had you not taken Broadcast Journalism. For those of you who are returning next year, I hope you continue to be just as hardworking, creative and hilarious as you were this year.

And of course, to Mrs. Turner. I cannot thank you enough for the opportunities you have given me. Like I’ve told you before, newspaper has not always been perfect. Throughout this school year, we’ve dealt with conflicts, missing cameras, deleted footage, twitter fights and even a green screen that ended up in the dumpster. I wouldn’t change a second of it. Thank you for being my school mom, and thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

I could go on forever, but I do not have the words to truly pay justice to what my Lamplighter experience has been like. Mrs. Turner loves Maya Angelou, and one of her most famous quotes perfectly applies to this situation: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Lamplighter, thank you for making me feel the “good” of high school.