For a very large portion of my life I had an unclear vision of what my future would look like. There was never a distinct subject or job that I felt extremely passionate about, and I worried a lot about what I could spend the rest of my life doing. My biggest fear has always been to be tied down to the safety of a job that had no meaning or importance to me. I had a huge fear of the unknown that, at times, swallowed me whole. 

I took a giant step out of my comfort zone when signing up for journalism this school year. I hoped more than anything that it would be the path that felt right to me. I had no idea what to expect and that worried me a lot. I had no other ideas for a career choice and if journalism turned out to be something completely different than I had expected, I was not sure what I would do. Even with all my fears, I still had fairly high expectations; and yet I think that journalism exceeded all those expectations. It truly felt like this was the one thing I had been waiting my entire life for. From day one, I found a space where I felt that my work had significance. 

I owe all the successes I have enjoyed this year completely to those who have taken the role as mentors for me: Etched in Stone’s Editor-in-Chiefs, Melissa May and Caroline Sears, who I am lucky enough to be able to call my friends. These amazing individuals have made my year in journalism absolutely magical due to their exemplary leadership. They have never once failed to make me feel like my work genuinely mattered, and words can not even begin to describe my gratitude for their guidance and companionship this year. 

To our lovely journalism advisor, Benjamin Degear, you have absolutely made my year. A person who I have the utmost respect for and will continuingly look up to. I would have never reached so far without your guidance. Thank you for making me feel since day one that I had the potential to do great things. At the start of journalism, the thought of having something of mine published for all to see was completely incomprehensible to me. The day you told me to publish my first article I have ever written for journalism, “A Glimpse into the life of Katie Rude”, I could never have imagined that one day I would be publishing almost weekly. You showed me that my work is deserving of eyes and I am forever grateful for that. Thank you for showing me how to take pride in my work and to fearlessly share it. Thank you for always motivating me to do more, to try harder, and to always improve. 

Alongside my mentors, I could not go without thanking our amazing staff. The most extraordinary group of people that simply light up any space and fills it with joy and laughter. I could not have ever asked for a better staff to surround myself with every second period. 

To all my friends, family, classmates, and strangers that have read my articles this year, I want to thank you with all my heart. It has been an absolute privilege being able to share my thoughts and feel like people are listening to them. I have never felt so reassured that what I feel matters to people. 

Never in a million years would I have imagined winning awards for the words that I write. If you were to tell middle school me, who wrote cringey poetry in her notebook, that I would one day be winning awards for my writing I would have never believed you. There is no greater feeling in the world than being recognized for the things that you are truly passionate about, and I owe that all to the people who take the time to read my stories.

“Why are we so afraid of the things we have no control over?” is a question that I have been trying to remind myself of a lot recently. Going to college next year, there is a lot of uncertainty and fear with what is to come. But this year in journalism has taught me that uncertainty is a beautiful thing, for it is in all most uncertain places that we may find the most amazing people and moments.

For the final time, thank you.