June 1, 2014

for what it's worth

"The best things said come last. People will talk for hours saying nothing much and then linger at the door with words that come with a rush from the heart." -Alan Alda

So here we are at the doorway of your sophomore year. Before you turn to go, linger a moment to tell us what's in your heart, whatever that may be. You can share what you've learned (in class or out), what you've struggled with, and what you've triumphed over. What were your accomplishments this year, academic or otherwise? Who changed your life in big or small ways? (Shout-outs are welcome!) When your mind rewinds the last nine months, what moments make you smile?

(For extra credit, post your response by midnight on 6/13.)

42 comments:

  1. A sense of realization has come to me in the past couple of days in the blink of an eye. While many people have probably discovered this early on in their lives, it's come to me that I can't wait around for something to happen in life. While it seems kind of like an easier thing to conquer in life, these past few days have really challenged me and made the concept come to a practical use. I realized that if I just sit and wait around for something great to happen, I'll get my hopes up, and when it doesn't happen, it feels more or less along the lines of a crash and burn moment. I guess I just needed to something tangible to grasp onto to really discover and conceptualize this idea.

    Marissa Lane-Massee
    Period 1

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  2. This year really showed me how fast life goes by. Everyone always tells you how fast high school goes by and how you'll be an adult before you know it, and I never really understood until now. This past year also really opened my eyes to how hard you really need to work to get the grade you want in every class you take. I also learned to choose better people to be friends with because not everyone is looking out for you, and that also taught me that sometimes it's ok to ask other people for help every once in a while, sometimes one person can't finish everything they need to.

    Kinsey McNaught
    Period 1

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  3. It's really amazing how fast this year has gone, and I just feel old. This is probably one of the best years I have ever had. From this year, I learned that there are some thoughts I should probably keep to myself and not to think out loud unless you want people to stare at a you awkwardly... Graduation is right around the corner and just as much as it makes me excited to grow up, I honestly want to be a kid. It turns out I am super lazy and am really good at procrastinating; it's a problem I have got to fix other than that I think life is good...so far.

    Seong Jeon
    Period 1

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  4. This year I've realised how much harder it is to get A's now that I have more academic driven classes. It's given me a reality check on how HARD life can be if you keep trying to please people who don't matter AT ALL. I've learned that putting your all into a small group of people and things that do matter is a lot less stressful than giving a lot people a little of what you got. My bffffffffl Miriam H. Has gotten me through A LOT and she's my bestest friend in the whole wide world I don't know what I'd do without her! EVERYONE NEEDS SOMEONE LIKE HER IN THEIR LIVES

    Nayeli Cruz
    P.6

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  5. Oh my, I don't even know where to begin. These last nine months have gone by so fast. I think the biggest struggle for me was when someone very close to me passed away, and I had to really adjust my life. Although it hasn't been the first time this has happened, it still doesn't make it any easier. After I came back to school after being gone for like three days, I couldn't focus on anything. Everything in my life was going so fast I couldn't get caught up with everything. But I did and I am doing okay now, so that's a good thing. I have had a lot of fun times this school year. I have had some crazy classes full of amazing people to be around, and for that I am truly thankful. Overall sophomore year has had its ups and downs, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I can't believe I'm going to be a junior! I know there is more craziness to come, but i am looking forward to it!

    McKenzie O'Dell
    p.4

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  6. This year has shown me have fast time can go by. Looking back at the year, to me, it seemed like it went by in the blink of an eye. It also made me hopeful for next year. The classes were harder this year but next year I was will have harder classes but for once I will have also have classes I will wan't to go to. I have also learned who my real friends are. I know they said high school changes people but I didn't really believe them until I saw it.I fell like more people changed this year. This year has showed me so much I can't wait to see what next year will bring.

    Mickaila Saxton
    Period: 1

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  7. I feel like this year is the year I grew up most, emotionally and mentally... definitely not physically..(still short as ever..:/) I realized how hard it is to maintain a job and keep grades up. Growing up is hard. and sometimes things don't go as you planned them to go. you just gotta accept it, and keep moving. I realized nothing in life stays the same. not friends, not school, not your "stable" schedule... I'm nervous for next year, but I'm hoping it wont be as hard as this one!

    Arina Dovgoruk
    P.d 1

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  8. This year seems like it blew by. It is crazy to think we are halfway done with high school and I have some senior friends who are graduating as well. I have also debated this year if I want to put the effort in to getting straight A's because I do not really mind having a few B's and I also lazy occasionally. I still do not know what I want to do, but I might just let it play out and see how I do on finals this year. This year I also learned how annoying the freshman are and I hope we were not that annoying haha. So yeah that is about it.

    Adam Raschko
    Period 6

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  9. At the beginning of this year, I had high hopes. That lasted for about a month, and then everything came crashing down. I was sad, I lost someone dear to me, my friends were all unhappy, and some of my classes were tearing me to apart (either from boredom or frustration). It was like that for the majority of the year: rough. I made a lot of stupid mistakes, which has yet to cease. I had to make some tough choices. But just as I thought it was at it's worst, there came the light at the end of the tunnel. I can't say I'm not still sad, but it's different. I haven't gotten out of the darkness yet, and i don't see it ending for a while, but it's a little less dark now. I thought knew everything at the beginning of the year. I though everything was on my side. But I realize now that my side doesn't have that much support, and I have nothing figured out. All I want now is to figure things out, but I''m not sure if can.

    Morgan Hoag
    Per. 1

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  10. I have learned that school only gets harder as you go through. I struggled to keep up with almost daily Biology homework and on top of it the ton of projects, assignments, and essays due in these last weeks. I learned that you can't get behind in class or you'll never catch up. I have triumphed over this school year and l am happy to have a break soon. My biggest accomplishment this year has been getting a summer good job and driving this summer!

    Schaefer Jones
    Per. 4

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  11. This year I learned that school will get much harder as it goes on. I received my first B, wonder who's class that was in, and I had to work a lot harder. I had to learn how to stay on top of assignments and projects. even though there was a lot of work, I had a lot of fun this year because my friends helped me a long the way which reminds me, shout out to Samantha for being an amazing girlfriend! my biggest accomplishment this year was being able to mostly keep myself on task and doing work

    Colden Garro
    Per.4

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  12. This year has taught me a lot, last year homework was easy and was super easy to procrastinate on and assignments you could do at midnight. but this year I learned I have to work hard to get grades that I want, how to push myself, and I also realized that talking to people is more important than being alone. This year I also grew personally, with my friendships and how close I am with people, and who to trust.

    Stephenee Foster
    period 3.

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  13. Honestly, this year went by super fast. Not only that but it ruined my perfect 4.0 GPA which is so cool like wow. I'm very very very upset about that but hey it's whatever. Sophomore year has shown me who my real friends are, and who is just using me as a back up. I also learned that surprisingly, studying for tests can either make or break your grade. It was a lot of fun and I have made some great memories. BTW the last six weeks sucked because of certain reasons and you'll always be the bae Mrs.Stefani. Oh, and shout out to Colden for being a dummy.

    Sammy Strout
    Period 3

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  14. I will always remember my sophomore year. I'm going to really miss it. This year taught me that while classes can be more challenging, not procrastinating and doing the work will make the tests easier. Receiving the grades you want really depends on studying, not just showing up to class. Realizing that helped me gain some pretty neat and new studying tricks. This year I gained some amazing friends, and each one has showed me things that have affected my life in some way. I don't want this year to end, but I'm still looking forward to next year. This year showed me how fast life will fly by while having fun, and to not take it for granted.

    Lacie Posterick
    Period 1

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  15. Sophmore year has shown me that I can't just go through the motions in my classes. This year I got my first B and it was kind of a wake up call. This year helped me to realize I need to put effort into all my assignments to do good on the tests, and get a good grade. This year went by super fast for me which is bittersweet. I liked my all my classes and had fun this year, but am also ready for summer to start.

    Cammie Decker
    Period 6

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  16. Sophmore year really flew by. It was definitely a lot harder than last year, as it should be.I had to work a lot harder to recieve the grades I wanted. Even though some assignments and homework were a pain to do, I know it will get me prepared for junior year (which I hear is pretty tough). This year has taught me that it's important that you do not leave things until the last minute, and it's better to turn things in late than not at all. Overall, sophmore year was pretty fun and it gave me a feel of how junior year will be.

    Madi Hingston
    Period 6

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  17. It is true this year has really flown by, and i am glad that it has. this year definitely required more work then last year. it was a lot harder to get "A"s this year then last year. One thing that i was reminded of that you SHOULD NOT PROCRASTINATE!!! yup that really the main one. i have enjoyed and hated a lot of things this year. one of those is wrestling because it was awesome but i hated all the hard work but it was worth it. surprisingly i had a lot of fun in English because ms Stefanie was super cool and was awesome!

    Abe Nelson P:3
    otherwise known as Abe the babe! hahah :)

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  18. Sophomore year definitely went by a lot faster than Freshman year. I've learned that it's really stupid to slack off all year and then try to bring your grades up right before finals. I'm such a bad procrastinator but I just can't help it! Sophomore year has taught me that if I want to keep up with my work next year I need to do it on time. I've also learned that studying for tests is so much smarter than taking a test, failing it, and retaking it. Overall, this year has been really good, inside and outside of school. Sophomore year really taught me what it'll be like to be a Junior next year.

    Jolie Larimer
    Period 6

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  19. First, I have to laugh about the fact that almost every comment mentions procrastination! Yes I am equally guilty, but for different reasons. This year was a reality check for me. I learned that it's really hard to maintain and commit to three time-demanding jobs (not to mention that school takes up over half my day...). It's better to find something you are best at or enjoy the most and go crazy with it rather than stress yourself out because you feel you need to please and answer to way too many people. Pick your top one or two most favorite careers, hobbies, etc. and explore. Learn, practice, and enjoy as much as you can.

    Jonathon Wheeler
    Period 1

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  20. This year has felt very strange to me. Last semester feels like last school year, but it wasn't! I just go through the motions of each day and try not to worry about anything until the last possible second which leads me to my procrastination. Everyone procrastinates somewhat, but I've found out that that's all I do haha. It's like i'm physically unable to not procrastinate. I use the pressure of assignments being due the next day to get things done. In the end I've managed to make it through the year with above average grades that I'm mostly proud of. Hopefully these last few days will add a little more percentage to my grades;)

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  21. This year has shown me how quick time flies. We're already halfway done with highschool, and throughout this time i've learned many things. However, my grades dont reflect that. Like most people, i also procrastinate and it can come and bite you in the butt. Sophomore year has taught me to get my stuff done before the night it is due. Not only because of time, but because it brings down the stress of high school tremendously. The way of grading has changed how my grades are as well. Because we're able to retake quizes, studying didn't really seem too important, but its better to pass the first time then retake it again. Overall, sophomore year hasn't been too bad, and i'm looking forward to the rest of my high school years.


    Callista Srofe
    Per. 4

    ReplyDelete
  22. This year has been so much for me, not just with school. I've been stressing out so much about growing up and actually being something. I've learned that i need to focus and get my life together now so it wont get worse in the future. I promised my dad that i will get straight A's next year, so im really going to try. I need to study more, and care more. I felt so rushed at the end of the year to get everything up, and i never want to have to do that again. School is honestly so easy as long as you do the work. Im just so lazy, and that needs to change. But honestly i feel like school is more about passing then learning now at days and it sucks.

    Shout out to all incoming sophomores: DO THE WORK, READ THE BOOKS.


    Janie Jarmin
    Per. 4

    ReplyDelete
  23. The biggest thing I learned this school year is that the further along you go in life, the more people expect of you. Freshman year was a piece of cake, but sophomore year has gotten me to have much better study habits. It is not enough to just show up to class. You actually need to put in the effort to study for tests and turn in assignments on time. While I know procrastination will be my life time friend/enemy, I know that my real friends and family will help me push myself through the rest of high school, like they helped me this year already. I'm looking forward to junior year, and hopefully I can learn even more to be better.

    Lauren Hugie
    Period 3

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  24. This year has really taught me who people really are. I have always been told by family members that your sophomore year is the year you get to know who your "true friends" are; that is exactly it! This year I have found myself losing friends left and right but among the way I've been getting closer to people that I have rarely ever talked to in the past. Plus this year seemed to fly by way faster then last year did. It's hard to believe in just a couple days I am going to be a junior then one more year and I am done. Also this year has showed me that hard work and dedication can pay off, I didn't put things off as much as I thought I would have and honestly it really was a life saver to not have to stress and panic about not getting something done on time! As well as in school, I faced a lot of stuff outside of school. With everything weighing on my mind it was helpful to know that what I was doing for myself in the long run would pay off and that I shouldn't sweat the small stuff even if it did seem super important at the time. In the end, this year has taught me that when life is hard, don't give up instead give it your all and keep pushing on!


    Brianna Koch
    Period 3

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  25. This year went by fast. This year made last year seem easy and next year will be a tough one. I got my first B last semester at 89.99% which was in this class by the way. Many things felt a lot more tougher, but I got more confident as the year went on. At some points I felt overwhelmed with school work. Now, as I look back, It doesn't seem as hard as it originally did. I accomplished more than I ever thought I would whether it was in sports or in academics. I got my first varsity letter in football and finished all of my major projects. I learned so much this year and for the most part had fun. Looking into the future can be a scary thing, but if I just think with a little optimism then I will be fine.

    Bryson Canchela
    Period 1

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  26. For me, this year seemed to go really fast. I remember last year seemed to drag on forever, but first semester was gone in the blink of an eye. I think I've had a pretty good year, but I've really slacked off academically. I got my first B, in honours biology, and that was frustrating. This semester, however, I'll be super happy if I even get that grade up to a B. Overall, I think I've done a good job this year, and I'm glad to get the break of summer, and then I'll be ready to do this crazy thing all over again for junior year.

    Gloria White
    Per. 1
    6/10/14

    ReplyDelete
  27. I learned a lot from this year. From To Kill A Mockingbird I learned how important it is to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you judge them. From the Veldt I learned how big of an impact technology can have on us, and how too much technology is very bad. I have learned a lot academically, like the importance of homework and studying. I love to smile and I think it is a every day choice for me, I have to choice every day to make the right decisions and try to do my very best.

    Wyatt Grine
    Per. 4

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've learned many things this year, but mistake lures me out. I have noticed that I just sit around and wait for the excitement to come to me. Another thing that I have come to realized, is that I procrastinate hardcore. I would wait till the night of the last day to do work, having to stay up late. Then, the year just flew by and i can't fix my grades. I could have done more to help myself, but it was still a fun year. I had many accomplishments, like in band. So overall, this year wasn't a waste.

    Gary Zhen
    Period 1

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  29. Honestly I can't remember much from the beginning of the school year. It has gone by so fast, and I'm not the kind of person to be excited for school but I feel sad that it's ending. I'm scared, very scared about growing up. I don't think I'm ready to shoulder the responsibility of almost being an adult. I've learned that procrastination is not the key to success. That would have to be my biggest problem. And I've learned that being a perfectionist can and will slow you down. There are people that will expect so much from you, but they won't do the same (like Bruno Mars' song: Grenade). Overall this was just another school year, nothing special about it. I just keep telling myself that I'll be done next year so I'm 2/3 there. It keeps me going.

    Inderpreet Bains
    Period 4 :D

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  30. Sophomore year has gone by so fast! It's unbelievable to think that I'm half way through high school; in just two more years I'm going to be graduating when it feels like I just started high school yesterday. Knowing how fast the first two years have gone, the last two years will probably too. This year has been great because I've learned a lot from my teachers and I've become a better person from the experiences I have had. I've become friends, or better friends, with a lot of different people as well. I would like to say I'm super grateful for all of my friends who have made this year awesome for me. Also, I've realized this year that life goes by fast and I should stop making excuses and do whatever I want to do. Sophomore year has had it's up's and down's but overall it's been great.

    Harkiran Dhami
    Period 3

    P.S. I don't care of this sounds cheesy because it's true haha.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Quite honestly I don't even remember first semester, it feels like forever ago! This year I learned a lot... I learned that I need to appreciate what I have and be happy with what life throws at me. Aka I need to cherish amazing, sarcastic, nice teachers like Mrs.Stefani because sometimes they leave you then class sucks... I've finished one day of finals and it's starting to become clear just how much I procrastinated. Frankly I'm terrified for junior year (academically) but sophomore year has helped me grow a lot.

    Anjelica Glassey
    Period 1

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sophomore year has taught me a lot! First off, it has really pounded the idea of not procrastinating into my head which is important with the classes I am taking next year. I have also learned who people are. My older siblings and my parents always told me that sophomore year is when you find out a lot more about people and you start learning who people REALLY are. This has affected my year in both good and bad ways. Another thing that this year has taught me is to take advantage of things offered to me. Whether it is help from a teacher, or an online review, those things were made to help me succeed and I should do everything I can to help myself. Lastly, this year has taught me how fast time can fly. I am already getting a job and the conversations are coming from my parents about the things that I will have to start paying for and dealing with as I have a steady income. I have learned a lot of life lessons this year. Oh, and academics.

    Ariana Pippert
    Period 3

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  33. Sophomore year was amazing. It went by so quickly but I remember it all as if it were yesterday. This past year I stepped out of my comfort zone a little bit and was given so many amazing opportunities. I made so many new friends this year and learned so much about myself. This year really made me realize how often life changes. I hope to never forget this school year and all it's amazing adventures. Its crazy to think that the class of 2016 will be juniors soon.

    Fallon Dunham
    Per.4

    ReplyDelete
  34. My sophomore year has had a tremendous impact on me. I have had a year full of ups and downs, and I'm glad for them. This year I have learned who is TRULY there for me, and who is not. I have begun to really think about who deserves to be in my life, and make changes accordingly. Another thing I learned was to be strong, even during the worst of situations. During these past two months both of my grandfathers passed away, and I also became very ill myself towards the last weeks of school. This has had a huge impact on my family and I and it has surely affected us. This year has been an adventure, and I'm so pumped to take on next year's challenges.

    Sabrina Eder
    Period 4

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  35. This school year has been crazy for me especially with my sister going off to college. Though in my down time, being on facebook and watching the news, I saw many things that affected me deeply. I noticed from the way people act towards me and other people like me, how things are changing, and not necessarily for the better. When I talk about my faith with other people, most wont listen, or wont display enough respect to care. It has made me stronger, but it has also shown me where this country is heading. With the many debates that arose from my opinion being shared amongst my peers, I noticed what society was doing to the way we think and act. With all the political issues arising, and tensions boiling, many of us have taken sides on many issues. This can be a good thing if we had stopped at the taking sides. Many of us now are so far on one side that we are to ignorant and stubborn to at least think of a compromise. I admit I can do that sometimes. Recently I have decided to listen more to the opposing side and then think about whether I personally think I should go along with or not, then making a decision. With this new attitude incorporated into our society many problems have risen. Over the past few years there has been a lot of persecution against Christians in the Middle East and all across Asia. This of course has lasted for centuries, but it has gotten consecutively worse this past few years. The persecution has spread to the most unlikely of places. Now, it is not worse than the average name-calling or hate-site, but it is getting bigger. With new gay marriage laws, pastors, bakers, and photographers who are Christian are being forced to take part in these ceremonies, even though they don't want to. With Obamacare, churches and other Christian or pro-life affiliated organizations are being forced to provide abortion coverage when it is agianst what they believe in. Is no one's opinion safe anymore unless you are part of the so-called majority?

    Jonathan Anderson
    Period 1

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  36. This year has seriously gone by so fast...I can't believe it! I've been through a lot of good and bad experiences this year, but it's okay because we all go through it. This school year has made me think more about my future and what I want to do with my life, and it's also getting harder to get good grades and keep up with homework in some classes. I think I've really gotten to grow closer to more people this year so that's a plus. Shoutout to Nayeli Cruz and Jaida Watson for being amazing best friends(:

    I'm honestly scared for Junior year though because I heard it's the toughest year..yeah... I dunno.

    I'LL MISS YOU STEFANI!! I loved your class <3

    Miriam Henifin
    P. 4

    ReplyDelete
  37. Honestly I cave kearned to copy and paste my paragraph. I say that because this is the secind tme I am typing this. With that I've learned some fun new words I can use. I also learneed that A's will never come as easy as they did freshmen year. Especially being a three sport athlete I need to work on that. I also had some fun times, such as when I had our amazing final performance first semester, or some of the things adam said this semester. Truly I think I learned some of the most lessons in this class whether it be academically or life.

    Hayden Sader P.6

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  38. Truthfully, this year has gone by SO fast. Its as if I went to blink my eyes, and this entire year flashed before my eyes-I'm not complaining though. The end of the school year brings a relief of stress, the joy of no homework, and a slight bit of excitement knowing we don't have to wake up early for school each weekday. This year, I've lost connections with many of my good friends, however, I've created many more new connections with people that I'm very thankful for. That's the best part about growing up, meeting new people along the way that end up changing your life immensely. I can't wait to see what the upcoming year has to offer me when I come back in the fall for Junior year.

    Amanda Fraley
    Period 6
    6/13/14

    ReplyDelete
  39. This has been a big year for me in sports. I've focused really hard on making varsity for all three of the sports I play this year, and I can gladly say that I reached my goal. I made outstanding improvements in the weights and am looking forward to next year. This up coming fall I hope to pass all my classes with an A or B and to get scholarships from colleges. Matthew Koopman Period 7 6-14-14

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  40. This year has been a blast, I've learned so much, made and met new friends, and had a good time. I've learned that hard work bring success. Sophomore year wasn't as easy as I thought it would be Freshman year, I'm definitely looking up to the challenge for Junior year and all the obsticles that come with it.

    - Randy Sarun (Period: 1)

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  41. This year has been harder that I thought but at the same time it was a blast. I met tons of new people and learned new things as well. I learned that you will lose people in life, but you will also gain friends as you grow. I struggled with just finding motivation to come to school. I rarely wanted to wake up at 6, get ready, and go to a place I didn't feel wanted. Towards the end I was happy to go, and see the people that mattered in my life. One of my biggest triumphs this year was with my self confidence. In the beginning, I struggled to feel confident with my body, but now I feel confident in my skin. I'm happy I had everyone in my life this year that made me who I am.
    Gabby Jackson
    Period 4

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  42. This year brought a lot of new things for me. For starters I moved to Keizer last summer. This brought on new friends and acquaintances. I had to get used to a city versus the country. I got a new job as a lifeguard in November. Having a job was probably the second biggest change of this year. I fulfilled my new years resolution that I made in a past blog response of becoming more social. I also got my licence and that opened many new possibilities. Of the 16 years of my life this year probably had the most change and I think most of it was for the better.
    Kyra Lehman
    Period 3

    ReplyDelete