Thank You MHS

Four years ago, I walked into the front doors at Martinsville High School for the first time as a high school student. Passing through the lobby and heading to my first class, I thought to myself, “this is going to be the longest four years of my life.” Yet, here I am writing my last ever story for Breaking Blue, wondering how I am graduating when the first day of high school feels like yesterday. 

Going into high school, many would remember that I was extremely shy and quiet. I was not involved in any clubs or extracurricular activities. I basically showed up to school, did my work, and hung out with my friends on occasion. However, it was freshman year that allowed me to make so many new friends and meet staff members that helped me come out of my shell and experience high school in a new way. 

I joined several clubs and organizations that have shaped me into the person that I am today. I was a member of Student Ambassadors, Student Council, Project 7, Riley Dance Marathon, and by sophomore year, I was the FFA treasurer, which later resulted in me serving as the Vice President during my junior and senior years. Through these clubs, I was able to make connections with many people throughout our school, creating new relationships that would last me throughout high school and beyond. 

In the second trimester of my junior year, I was invited to join the MHS Publications staff by Mr. Perry and in the third trimester of the school year, I joined publications. In this class I was able to discover myself and my passion for writing and journalism. I met so many new people who have become some of my best friends, and I have cherished every single moment spent in this class. 

Now, it is time for me to express my greatest thanks and appreciation to the people at MHS who have shaped me into the person that I am today. On my good and bad days, they stuck by my side and never gave up on me, and for that, I am forever grateful. 

First and foremost, I would like to thank all of my friends. The people who have supported me in every corner, listened to my never ending rants, and picked me up when I was down. If it was not for MHS, I would have never met my friends who have impacted my life in every way possible. No matter how close we are, I will always remember each of you who I have had the privilege of calling ‘friend.’

Next, thank you to the agriculture department and the FFA organization at MHS, where I found myself in more ways than one. Every year of high school, I have taken an agriculture class, and it made me realize that I want to be a part of the industry for the rest of  my life. In the fall, I will be attending Purdue University in West Lafayette where I will be studying agricultural business and communications. If it were not for the agriculture department at MHS, I would not be in the position I am in today. As for the FFA organization, there are not many words that can encompass the gratitude I hold for the club members and advisors. Mr. Jay Marks and Miss Emma Messmer have always believed in me and inspired me, and it has been a pleasure to look up to them. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the community, school, and club members alongside one of my best friends, Lydia Piercefield. We made a pretty great President/Vice President duo. 

Being a part of student-run organizations such as Student Council, Riley Dance Marathon, and Project 7 has been a pleasure. I have loved serving as a member of each club, and I have been truly inspired by the leadership of my fellow peers. For Student Council, I would like to thank Dr. Peterson and the officers that have allowed us to create great experiences for the students at our school. Riley Dance Marathon was a club that will always stick with me because of the generosity and the purpose. Being able to donate $20,000 to Riley Children’s Hospital my senior year was an amazing feeling, and I am thankful for the officers, Alyssa McGauley, Nate Vieweigh, and Katie Fulkerson for leading us to our goals. Project 7 was led by one of my great friends, Matthew Jasper, and the club as a whole encouraged me to grow stronger in my faith. Without these clubs, I am honestly not sure where I would be. 

To every teacher who I have had the privilege of having, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have impacted my life in so many ways. Whether you offered me advice, thoroughly explained a lesson to me, or assisted me when I needed it, I appreciate you. Thank you to Mrs. Kendra Parker for being one of the coolest teachers I have ever had, to Dr. Peterson for always being kind, to Mr. Urban for being patient with me in pre-cal even though I am terrible at math, and a special thank you to Mr. Wagner for always believing in me no matter what. I will never forget the lasting impressions that many of you have left on me. 

Thank you to each and every administrator at MHS. The past few years have been rough due to COVID, but you have never let me down. You did your best and gave me the best high school experience possible, and that is something that is so special to me.

Finally, thank you to the publications staff, past and present, for being like my second family. When I came into this class junior year, I was so nervous. However, I was quickly accepted with open arms. It was in this class that I made so many new friends. Thank you to Quincee Collier, Kaycee Littell, Levi Suter, Brayden Hall, Emma Gonzales, Charity Shepherd and AJ Harmon for being my best friends in the class. Thank you to Ava Hess for being the best co-writer in history. Thank you to Mr. Perry and Mrs. Randall for their constant support and guidance. If you would have told me two years ago that I would get scholarships for my writing, and even half of my tuition paid for by several colleges due to my writing, I would have never believed you. However, here I am getting ready to pursue a career in the journalism field, and I could not be more excited. It is so hard for me to leave this class behind, but I am so grateful for each and every one of the people I have met, stories I have written, and connections I have made. 

It is bittersweet wrapping this story up, as I know it will be my last one published on Breaking Blue. I would be lying if I told you that I did not cry while writing this because we all know I cry over everything. 

If you are reading this and you are headed into high school, or even still in high school, take that chance, join that club, make a friend. Just do not take anything for granted and do not have any regrets. High school goes fast, and in the blink of an eye, it will be over. 

To anyone who I have not mentioned, just know that you have impacted my life in some way, shape, or form. For that I am forever grateful. 

So long MHS, you have been good to me. 

Stantz out.