I moved into Lakewood when I was 5 or 6- just in time for 1st grade. I truly believe that this is the place I was meant to be in, sure, I made mistakes along the way, but I know this is my place. It took me 12 years to settle in and find myself happy. And now I have to leave. I know where I’m headed, but I don’t know where I’m going.

In August, I’ll be moving to Cincinnati. I am attending the University of Cincinnati. I want to major in either Art Education or Industrial Design. I will be taking classes for both majors during my freshman year, so I can decide exactly what I want to do.

So, hopefully, I’ll land a career doing art. I want to spend my life creating things, through teaching art or designing.

This summer, I’ll be working two jobs. I already work nights at Panera, and I’m currently looking for a day job. I need to save quite a bit to pay for college.

But what did I do while I was here? Throughout my time at Lakewood High, I didn’t really do anything to impact anybody else. I don’t have a legacy (except, perhaps, winning Best In Show on my physics coaster that I didn’t care about), but I have grown from my time here. I started out as a shy, sad, freshman. I grew into a (slightly bratty) sophomore. Junior year, I was becoming more creative, evolving. Senior year, however, flew by. I don’t even remember what has happened, but, as I leave, I know I am a better person.