10. As someone who was diagnosed with OCD in elementary school, I’m aware liking organizing may seem cliche, but in my opinion, my love for organization doesn’t stem from my illness but instead is a product of how I was raised. As a kid, I moved around often, and not having a lot of stability takes a toll on a person. So, when I finally moved in with my aunt this past June, and got my own room in October, not keeping it spick and span wasn’t an option. Taking time throughout the week to make sure everything is in its correct spot is a calming experience for me. When those week-long school breaks come along, I like to do a deep closet cleanout. Although for other people it may be the complete opposite, organizing is a de-stressor for me, and for that I am grateful.

9. As a kid, I used to read entire chapter books in less than a day. I mean my 10th birthday present was a trip to Barnes and Noble with no limit. But once the pandemic hit, my reading obsession halted. This past fall, I joined book club in an attempt to get back into reading, and I am so glad I did. Book club reignited my childhood passion. Although most people don’t like Mondays, I do; it’s when book club takes place. I’m still working on reading motivation, but to make sure I’m on track, I divide out the number of pages per week to read. Some people don’t like that I do that, but it works for me! I am a PROUD bookworm.

8. Although I had to give away my Polaroid, and my Canon 750 doesn’t have a battery, I love taking pictures on my phone. My favorite type of pictures to take are scenic ones. I like to look back on them and know exactly where I was at that part of my life, and remember how I was feeling. Whether it was a rainy night when I was out with friends or a sunny day when I just got the worst news of my life, those pictures are irreplaceable. Pictures mean the absolute world to me. I can’t wait to get a working battery for my camera.

7. In August of 2023, I started a PowerPoint called “A Day In The Life”. It contains multiple photos from every day from the start of the school year, till the end, including weekends and breaks. I plan on having a get-together at the end of the year and presenting it to my friends. It fills my free time and heart just to see my friends’ faces on the pages.

6. In elementary, I was in the gifted program and was offered a spot at an academically selective school. Then COVID hit, and that threw all my good grades out the window. In my first two years of middle school, I was a terrible student, with low attendance due to home life and low motivation. I was so disappointed in myself. Thankfully, my counselor convinced me to sign up for honors in 8th grade, and there it went! In 1st semester I maintained nothing lower than a B (except algebra, but I still passed). I also passed the UHS test! 2nd semester was straight A’s for me. I always told myself I’d get the best grades possible, and while that may not have been the case in middle school, it’s turning out that way in high school. I’ve honestly scared myself into doing my work early and taking all the extra credit I can get, but it’s a good habit to have. Being behind in schoolwork is stressful for me; I hope to never be the student I was during the pandemic, but she also taught me to be okay with rejection and disappointment, and that everything doesn’t always go to plan. Life isn’t perfect, but these grades are!

5. When going through the hardest parts of my life, my middle school teachers were always there for me. I wouldn’t have survived, and most definitely not have thrived if it weren’t for the people that supported me throughout my 8th-grade year. Although I’m in high school, I still go back to Gridley very often. I go to the back-to-school nights, the guitar concerts, the drama performances, and more. While it is bittersweet to see how the halls have changed, it also makes me extremely happy to update my past teachers on my life, and it makes them happy to see that I’m doing better. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them. I wish there was a way for me to repay the kindness I was shown.

4. Although I would love to be in the actual culinary program, the club will have to do! As someone who used to hate Wednesdays, they’re now my favorites because those are our meeting days. I’ve had some amazing opportunities by being in culinary club, and even got my first volunteer hours. Working the Cougar Foundation breakfast was an early morning, but a great one nonetheless. It’s a small club, but I love everyone in there! I’m always excitedly anticipating our next bake sale. Forever thankful to a student, Vincent, who told me to join.

3. Since about Winter of 2021, I’ve been going on walks. They’ve been a way for me to calm my mind and process my emotions. Adding music into the mix just elevated the process. When I got broken up with this past summer, I started getting up at 5 AM to go walk a mile and listen to all the sad breakup songs in the world. I don’t think I would’ve gotten over it as fast as I did without those mornings of watching the sunrise.

2. Math! I love math! Despite the fact, I might’ve failed it in 6th and 7th grade…I actually skipped ahead to algebra in 8th grade! I ended my 2nd semester with an A. My 8th-grade algebra teacher was the one who taught me I could like math, whose class eventually became one I looked forward to, and a class I was excited to take tests in. This year, with my geometry teacher is no different. So far I have an A from last semester and plan to continue that. I thought I wouldn’t like geometry, and I was right. I don’t like it, I love it!

1. Having been in choir from 2nd to 7th grade, and being in guitar since 8th, music has been a huge part of my life. I was in orchestra and band in elementary school just like everyone is, but I didn’t have a passion for violin and clarinet. At least not like I do for guitar. I unofficially started my guitar journey in the summer of 2022 before 8th grade. I had no clue how to even hold a guitar, or where to put my fingers at. Looking back I was so clueless, it’s hilarious. I started my guitar class in August 2022, and it was the best decision of my life. That class was what brought me to school on my darkest days. It gave me some amazing opportunities such as playing and singing at Club Congress in May of 2023. Those Thursday concert nights were the best days of the quarter. Although nerve-wracking, my first time singing solo on stage was the best night of my life, and thankfully I got to do it twice that month. I’m currently a year ahead in the guitar program here at Sahuaro, and I’m so excited to be an advanced student next year. I know it’s a crazy dream, but I want to be a musician. Singing is the only thing I can see myself never getting bored of. I don’t know my career path yet, but if I decide it’s music, there’s nothing I won’t do to get to where I need to be.