When I reflect on my time at WJ, I think of not only what I’ve done, but how I’ve changed because of it.
Freshman me was much different than I am now. I was more introverted, more care-free, more joyous and admittedly, less mature and collected. I guess you could say I was more like an innocent kid, rather than a grown-up senior.

I didn’t have to always worry about what comes next. Didn’t have to worry about college and what my future will look like someday. Didn’t have to worry about my role in the ever-changing world we live in. Didn’t have nearly as many tasks dumped onto my shoulders as I do now. And didn’t have to worry about what everyone else thought of me, because of the self-conscious feeling that high school brings out in every single one of us.

High school taught me a few things, but most importantly it taught me the importance of working hard to achieve results. At times in high school I came in contact with failure, failure like I’ve never experienced anything like before, and I have had to adapt myself to the twists and turns to do better the second time around. Except I learned that’s not called failure; that’s life, and I hope more people my age and even adults older than me can come to realize that.
As time flew by, I took on more and more responsibilities like joining the track team, becoming a Pitch editor-in-chief and leading as a class officer, and my extracurriculars became overwhelming at times. In The Pitch, for instance, I had my ups and downs and imperfections.

I could be writing an article that people get mad at me for (WJ field hockey, I’m looking at you), which admittedly wasn’t one of my proudest moments. But on the flip side, I could be writing a front page story about how the baseball team is heading to the State finals for the first time in school history, one that I wrote the night after the semifinal game and stayed up until 2 a.m. to complete. Regardless, I always tried to stay composed through these struggles, and stay true to my long-lasting kind and selfless identity.

For The Pitch, I have many people to thank. To Mrs. Borrelli, thank you for your kind welcome to The Pitch when I stepped into room 193 four years ago. You are truly a one-of-a-kind teacher; one that can simplify even the toughest of situations Pitch faces into making tons of sense, and I will be forever grateful for my time on the Pitch!
One of my favorite things about the Pitch, and WJ as a whole, is the people. Look no further than the dynamic 2024-25 Print Sports Editor trio of me, Will and Emily as an example. I didn’t know either of them very well before this, but when the three of us came together to collaborate on Pitch issues we got to know each other so well. So Will and Emily, thanks for the developed friendships along the way that I’m so grateful we forged.

Also, an extended thank you goes out to all the upperclassmen who have mentored me and have ever given me advice (there’s a lot of you). And thank you to my teachers: You have the hardest job in the world and yet still have been a great resource to me and my peers through high school.

So WJ, I thank you not only for the experiences, but the lessons. For those days that I’ve wanted to quit, then remembering the innocent joy-of-a-kid that preceded me, then finding it in me to keep going, all while getting more and more disciplined every single time. I hope and believe that while my path will still be filled with challenges, I will be able to put the “happy” in Happy Valley the next four years.

High school is only a preview of what’s to come up ahead. Class of 2026, I adore this class and all of you far too much, and I’m rooting for each and every single one of you to embrace the struggles necessary to reach success.