When I was in middle school, I read a book by the late author/journalist John Feinstein titled, “The Legends Club.” The piece details a decades-long basketball rivalry between Duke, North Carolina and North Carolina State. While I enjoyed the book very much, the thing I remember most was a three-word phrase North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano coined during their 1983 national championship run: “Survive and advance.”
To say the least, my senior year did not go as I had dreamt it out, especially the back half of it. For most of the year I’ve been battling headaches and fatigue during parts of each day, and I have been in and out of doctor’s appointments for much of the last three months. The medical issues have caused my academic performance to crumble and my ability to write and edit articles to basically disappear. As someone who spent the majority of high school taking pride in the fact that I would stay up all hours of the night writing, editing and studying, it has been a tough pill to swallow. I failed my teachers, I failed my staff, but most of all, I failed myself. But, I guess, to find some solace, I’m still here, I managed to write this reflection. I survived and I advanced.
Through the struggle, I’ve also realized the importance of having people who support you. My teachers have been beyond accommodating and understanding and my friends from home, especially Donny Sandlin, have checked in on me many times. My friends from Northwestern always manage to give me a good laugh and keep me sane and my mom continues to spend more than half her time trying to find any way I can get better. I’m grateful for all these people in my life as in order to survive and advance, you need a team.
As for the rest of my high school career, I’ve certainly had my roses and thorns. One rose was that Mrs. Baker, coach Donlon and coach Parrish took a chance on me as a freshman and I wound up announcing more than 80 basketball and football games over my four years. I was able to jump out of my shell, explore something I loved and add a bit of excitement in between.
I knew I’d join The Pitch long before I entered high school. My mission the past four years was to try to share both difficult and heartwarming stories and ensure accuracy throughout the paper. Each day I’d walk into room 193 looking to learn something whether it was about journalism, the people around me or life in general. I learned a lot, not just about being a journalist, but about what to do and what not to do as a leader as well. I made mistakes. I sadly fractured some relationships, but created lasting ones as well. I survived, I advanced and I learned.
As I rose through the ranks, I shared what I’d learned with others. I wrote in my staff application last year that “It’s always been about leaving an impact – trying to grow The Pitch to be even better than it was when I first walked into 193 at 11:59 on August 30, 2021.” I hope I was able to help do that. I’m proud that when I look at the names of next year’s staff, I can easily envision a paper even better than what I’ve been part of these past four years. I see work ethic and leadership from people like Will. I see passion from people like Jeremy. I see skill from people like Meher. All of you have the opportunity to do something special, to “lock in and win,” to be the best The Pitch has been, and I’m confident that you will make the most of the opportunity.
Before I wrap up, I’d like to thank my dad and Mr. Choi for pushing me beyond my limits and proving to me that I was more capable than I had previously thought. I’d also like to thank Mrs. Borrelli for helping spring my journalistic passion.
High school has definitely provided me with challenges, and as much as I like to hate on WJ, I appreciate much of what I’ve learned from being here these past four years. To quote Djo, “And when I’m back in Chicago, I feel it. Another version of me I was in it. I wave goodbye to the end of beginning.”
As I type my final words in Constantia 10 font, click submit at 11:59 p.m. and embark on the next part of my journey at Northwestern, I’ll survive, I’ll advance and hopefully, I’ll manage to continue to thrive somewhere in between.
