My years attending Fresno Christian High School have taught me many things, but none more vital than the importance of relationships.

Coming to this school I had high hopes. I left Liberty High after spending a year and a half, feeling unsatisfied, and wanting more? and I found it.

I was unhappy with the friends I had and the way my life as going. I decided to transfer to my sister Kelley?s [?04] school, Fresno Christian. The only person I knew was Eric Witters [?04] and I ended up following his unfortunate morals.

My first social encounters came when I joined the tennis team, and was introduced to Eirc Neufeld [?05] and Chad Wathen [?06], two more friends who would help shape my character. Sports helped me make friends and get involved in the Fresno Christian atmosphere.

The most important change I realized though in coming to a new school was the superior relationships had with the teachers as well as the new friends I found.

I knew that school was important, but I never realized the importance of interaction with the people at school. I was a shy, introverted sophomore, thrust into a new and strange environment. I was happy to be invisible and just make it through the day.

My attitude was slowly changed as I progressed through the semesters. The process started when I was asked to star in our junior movie, and I realized what I had been missing out on all these years of activity. I ended up enjoying my experience, and meeting Daniel Kessler and Spenser Koleen [both ?06] who later became two of my closest friends.

I had always stereotyped the kids in my class, and never gave the time to really get to know anyone. Spenser was the biggest, most intimidating kid in school. But I learned that my point of view of him was wrong, as I got to know him, as many of the other students in my class. My perspectives changed, as I realized students? true nature.

My advice to upcoming students is to broaden their circle of security and to not take for granted the little time they spend in school. If you only stick to your close community of friends, then you wont fully tap into the possibilities high school offers.