Four years ago, I walked into the Tower room and onto the football field as two completely different versions of myself. Back then, I didn’t realize that by senior year, my identity would be so tied to editing and writing about sports at South. Looking back, I’m not just leaving with a resume of being the sports editor or multiple varsity letters; I’m leaving with a lot more perspective on what it actually means to show up.

Being the Sports Editor was a reality check I didn’t know I needed. It’s a job that requires you to be “on” even when you’re exhausted in the middle of April, counting down the days until summer. It taught me how to be professional when things fall apart, like when a source ghosts you or graphics become unusable. Journalism forced me outside of my comfort zone. It turned me into someone who can walk up to anyone, from a frustrated coach to a state champion player, and have a real conversation. It made me realize that everyone has a story worth telling, and being the one trusted is a responsibility I’ll always be grateful for.

Stepping onto the tennis court after two years of football was the best decision of my life. Being a leader isn’t about being the loudest person on the court or having the best serve; it’s about being mentally tough and having high character. Tennis is a sport where you are constantly alone with your own mistakes, but being a leader meant I couldn’t afford to get in my own head. I had to learn how to put my own frustrations aside to keep my team’s energy up. It taught me how to lead by example and, more importantly, stay composed and within myself when the pressure is the highest.

I also have to acknowledge the two people I look up to each day, my siblings, Michael and Katie, for providing the groundwork. Their advice on which classes to take and their general “survival” tips gave me a solid start to my freshman year. Having two people to talk to, rely on and call after a stressful practice or a bad test grade took a ton of weight off my shoulders. I am so lucky to have had their examples to follow and their constant encouragement in my corner. Thank you both for the constant support.

I’m incredibly appreciative of the stress, the late-night deadlines and the long bus rides to schools in the middle of nowhere. To the Tower staff and my teammates: thanks for being the best parts of my high school experience. As I move into the next step of my life at Michigan State University, I’ll never forget the fun and chaos that South brought me.