After a year of the most fun-filled class that took over my sixth hour, it’s difficult to say goodbye. Moving to Forest Hills Central from Rockford in the middle of my junior year was tough. I struggled to find my place in a school where it seemed that everyone had found their people, until I found mine in room 215. Being “recruited” to FHC Sports Report on the first day of my senior year was the best thing to ever happen to me. I remember walking into Mr. Sultini’s class and sighing with relief. I knew I had found my place where I would thrive and shine. 

Throughout the year, I have learned a lot – not just how to write stories or find synonyms for the word “cool,” I learned how to better myself in ways that would have not been formed had I not been asked to write for Sports Report. Some days were tough. The sweat and tears that I would put into my stories would some days take over my emotions. I would sit and wonder how I was ever going to be able to write a million stories about sports in and out of FHC, but day after day I did it. 

There are people I need to thank. Words will never amount to the love and thankfulness that I feel towards some of my classmates, but I want to give it a shot. 

Riley Girl, thank you for being my best friend since the first day of school. I will never be able to thank you for the love and the support you’ve shown me in and out of the classroom. You are my rock, and I am so grateful for our memories. Next year, when you’re up in Marquette and I’m down here in Grand Rapids, I will look back to the days of cracking your back in the middle of class. Thank you for not making me deaf with the volume of your Tik Tok’s. 

To my Char, thank you. The bond we have created in our senior year will carry me through the difficult times college will bring. All of the laughs, the tears, and the jokes we shared are so important to me. Thank you for teaching me new card games and dealing with me being a slow learner. You are beautiful inside and out, and the friendship we have formed is so precious. 

Liv, you are amazing. I have never met a more strong, independent, hard working woman in my life. You have an amazing head on your shoulders, and it will carry you very far in life. As you take on editor-in-chief next year, I want to share my wisdom with you. You will do amazing things, and I am so proud of you. 

To Gabby and Avery, you are both so special to me. Though you two were only in the class for a semester, our memories we created will forever hold a special place in my heart. I am so proud of you both for making it this far, and I know you will strive in the years to come. Good luck in your junior year. 

Thank you to Lucas, Serena, and Mr. Sultini for holding the class together. There were days where I’m sure we would have fallen apart without you three. Thank you for the late night help and the editing that saved so many of us from disaster. No matter where we stand, I am so appreciative of you for the hard work and dedication you put in to the class.

And to myself, thank you for writing for FHC Sports Report. The intellect you gained and the effort you put into your writing will carry you far. When you’re sitting in a college class next year, remind yourself what you are capable of and how writing can take you far. 

As the year comes to an end and a new chapter in my book starts, the memories created in this class will forever hold the top place in my heart and my mind. Good luck to you all as the years follow, and create the best and brightest name for the home of all things sports at FHC.