As an eighth grader, when it came time to choose courses for freshman year, I knew I wanted orchestra to be my freshman elective. I had played violin in school since third grade, and it was only natural for me to continue what I was comfortable with, even though I didn’t particularly enjoy playing the instrument.

However, my mother had other ideas. She pushed me to join journalism instead after weeks of arguing leading up to the deadline to turn in course selection forms. She thought it would give me a new outlook on life and the opportunity to develop new skills. Unfortunately, back then, I didn’t see it that way, especially when I was one scared freshman in a room full of tall upperclassmen the day after freshman orientation.

Obviously, by the end of the year my opinion had changed enough for me to want to continue on for the next three years. Looking back on my time in computer lab 250 as a member of the Ghostwriter staff, I can honestly say I’ve had some of my best academic experiences of my high school career in that room. I met so many new people in and outside of the class, created new connections, and developed a voice that made me a far more confident person than I had been. I wouldn’t be the person I am now if I hadn’t taken that first step and tried something new.

Next year in college, I’m not going to have my mother pushing me to try new things. I’m going to have to make the decision to try them of my own volition, and hopefully I’ll continue growing as a person from those experiences. It’s easy to stay in a comfort zone and never step out, but sometimes it’s necessary and beneficial to.

It’s difficult to reflect on the past and realize that I’m not going to be able to meet up with one of my closest friends on a half day to watch Bollywood at Panera, or spontaneously go geocaching on a particularly nice day over break with another. We’re all going our separate ways, and we will have to branch out and make new friends, though we will keep each other close.

No matter how much I want to, when I leave WA, I won’t be able to come back to the Ghostwriter and spend hours alphabetizing the names of all the graduating seniors by college, or enjoy the satisfaction of posting an article the same night its corresponding event occurred. But, I’m considering joining my new school’s publication, along with a whole host of new activities.

I’m going to keep my memories of the years past close, while leaving room for the future. After all, there are new memories to be made and new experiences to be had, and I’m going to enjoy every moment of it.