It feels so natural for us to pull out our phones and take a photo, but how blessed are we to be able to capture moments as they happen. Taking pictures has always had a special place in my heart because I am taking a moment and making it last forever. As a senior, I see the importance of making moments memorable and to capture them more than ever.

I still remember the first time I took photos for a football game; I was learning my way around the camera, adjusting the settings, and trying my best to capture the little moments. All these motions seem so natural now, but back then I had so much to learn. With only so much time left of my high school career, I’ve realized that I have been so focused on making it to graduation that I haven’t had a moment to look back on all the memories I’ve made.

If I had one piece of advice to give to the grades below me, I would say take photos of the experiences you want to remember and

video the moments you want to look back on. Because as cliche as it sounds, high school graduation will come before you know it. I mean I was just a sophomore taking photos at a football game, then I was a junior taking photos at the class of 2025’s graduation, and now I’ll be the one walking across that stage.

It is easy to remember the highlights of our lives, such as learning to drive or graduating, but we often forget the little things. Our routines, our habits, and our overall lifestyles will all change once we reach that stage. These last four years have gone by way too fast, and soon high school will be only a memory to look back on with the photos I have. 

Thank you to Mr. Redd, the newspaper staff, and Mrs. Curran for supporting me throughout these years. My time in this class and this school has been such a special part of my life, and it does not go unnoticed.

Thank you to my friends, especially those that I have grown closer to while being in the newspaper; 15 seniors, and 15 people who have grown closer because of a class.

Thank you to my family; I would not be where I am today without your support and love. Being the youngest in my family means I have seen my older siblings go off to college, move out, and start their own lives, but now it’s finally my time.

Again, enjoy every moment, capture the memories, and focus on where you are at. There will be a time when you can worry about the future, but for now focus on what you have.

So congrats to the Class of 2026. It’s finally our time!