As my final chapter at my home away from home closes, I am so blessed to have so many fond memories from the last 12 years and am so grateful I was able to come to Fresno Christian. I will always remember the little memories over the years from all over; our first grade behavior clips on the wall, playing tetherball in 90 degree weather, the fun cheers at cheer clinic, the constitution test I got 100 on, my sophomore strength class, joining The Feather with no experience, winning state cheer championships and so much more. I have truly been blessed to have attended an amazing school and to have gained so many connections and opportunities that will last a lifetime.
I have spent 12 years of my life at FC, having vast happy memories and while all important, it’s hard to sum up my whole life in one article. My childhood has been filled with laughter and undeniable joy, and I am forever grateful for the people that deeply impacted my life for many years.
I came to Fresno Christian in first grade alongside my childhood best friend Kennedy Schwab after spending two years at Clovis Christian, and it was the best move my parents could have made for me. I quickly made amazing friends who allowed me into their friend group and who I have had the honor of growing up with for the rest of my journey. From field trips to Monterey Bay aquarium and Superior Dairy to square dancing in the courtyard, my elementary school years were filled with vivacious joy, surrounded with amazing friends and the sweetest teachers who helped me to grow. Elementary school is something I am able to look back on and appreciate deeply; it serves as a light in my journey and shows the smaller steps I had taken to begin my journey.
Smaller steps turned into bigger strides, and I began middle school as the first sixth grade class to be moved up. The nerves turned to excitement as I realized I was growing up and could take on more responsibility and be more mature, considering I always looked up to my cool older sister. I was authentically myself in my own special way in middle school, wearing my Stranger Things hoodie everywhere and my neon scrunchies with every outfit; a memory to look back on and laugh at. I loved Eggo waffles, Stranger Things, Harry Styles, my hydro flask and riding my skateboard, which I was awful at but had a blast trying. I used to think school was hard in middle school, now looking back after taking AP biology and realizing it was the easiest thing ever. After starting cheer in fifth grade, I continued it all throughout middle school. We practiced in person and on zoom calls after the pandemic, which seems more fun than it sounded. I had a variety of amazing friends in those three years who made me live in the moment and included me in everything. I was able to be myself around them and had so many memorable moments, whether in town or at Hume Lake camp. Middle school helped me to grow and learn a lot about myself, preparing me for high school and finding myself.
High school was easy to start for me because I began on my cheer team, getting to know the older girls before I walked the same halls as them. The idea of high school was scary, but I was ready to go downstairs with the “big kids” after three years of the same routine. Freshman year was my favorite year of high school. I had easy interactive classes and amazing friends. We would spend our whole English class doodling and laughing at the back tables, our science class taking .5’s of each other instead of doing our lab notebooks and Spanish sneaking on our phones while watching Senor Huevo. My cheer team was an important step in my freshman year, putting me with older girls and teaching me how to balance school and a competitive sport. Beach Volleyball was a refreshing thing for me to try, putting me far outside of my comfort zone with a newer sport. Freshman year was my favorite because it was so innocent and pushed me out of my bubble, introducing me to new friends, new experiences and a new perspective on life.
Sophomore year was the most memorable year for me, because it was fun but also because it was a year of struggle and shaped me into who I am today. On the outside, my sophomore year was glamorous, finding an amazing friend group and talking to my now boyfriend of two years, but it was challenging. I quit the only sport I have ever loved to follow friends down a path I couldn’t follow, but also to take care of my declining mental health. I struggled with body image issues from trying to look like a perfect flyer and waves of unannounced depression would hit me after minor inconveniences. My best friend since middle school moved across the country before the year began, leaving me with a scattered friend group and a gap in my life. This downward spiral continued throughout the course of the year as I struggled with an eating disorder, taking up my mental capacity and consuming my thoughts. The ups and downs were constant, but it wasn’t until I found beauty in the little things that I began to appreciate life more.
I started playing volleyball on an amazing team of girls and sparked a passion for something I hadn’t really tried. I put myself out there and made a whole new group of friends, one of those friends becoming my boyfriend and best friend. I hung out with new people and had deep conversations. I went to all of the events I could and socialized with people I didn’t ever get the chance to know. I spent time with myself more than I ever had before and learned to be comfortable by myself. I slowly gained my spark back and by the end of the year, I found my people and felt like my life had purpose again. Sophomore year was a challenge, but looking back on it makes me realize how much stronger and resilient it made me.
Junior year was the most eventful year for me and I learned how to be myself again, pushing and advocating for myself. I returned to the sport I love with a stronger mind and ready to be a loving teammate and a hard working athlete. I was in front of crowds cheering and on the comp mat and surrounded by a group of amazing girls that I lacked the year before. For the first time, I was nominated for Junior homecoming princess and felt deeply loved and appreciated by my peers. I got my turn under a beaming spotlight and was crowned with a pretty little tiara that meant so much to me than it seemed. I took on Halloween parties, venturing through Catalina with my teammates, participated in sister to sister and so much more. Junior year I learned how to say yes and push my comfort zone, learning so much along the way.
Pushing my comfortability, I joined The Feather Online my junior year after two years of denying any hints from the team to come and join. Joining was the best decision I could have made. My first year on the team required a lot of training, finding out how to write in different styles, how to interview people and how to publish a piece confidently. After figuring out how the class worked and how to write, package and publish, I began to publish more frequently and became more confident in my skills. Kori James and Dorina Lazo Gilmore- Young taught me how to write an article with no prior experience, and I will forever be grateful for all that they taught me. My junior year was a year of gaining back my confidence and getting reconnected with people in my life. It was a year of building bridges, and I am proud to say it was the year I gained my joy back.
Senior year came in the blink of an eye after 12 long years of sitting in the seats at graduation and watching the classes leave one by one, and just like that I am next. Senior year is the year you regret not getting to know everybody on a deeper level because you realize what little time you have left together. One year. Nine months. And then you walk the stage and part ways with people you’ve known your whole life. I made it my goal to make the most of my final year at Fresno Christian, and I’d like to say this year has been the best year of all of my years. This year has been filled with joy, laughter and bonding with classmates and teammates.
My year began in June at summer cheer practices, and I got the honor of being a captain in my final year of cheer after six years. The summer flew by and the school bell echoed through campus as we stepped foot on campus for our last first day. I joined the leadership team for the first time ever and slowly learned the ways of the class after being called a “newbie” for 2 months. Along with other new classes, I returned to The Feather, but this time as a Senior Editor after a year of finding my passion for writing. Becoming an editor was a humbling experience at first with so much work and communication, but after the initial hardships I flourished. I have been given the honor to help others, write creatively and freely and make so many connections in this little family. I gained a family from this team. I traveled, collaborated and ate a lot with my team. I gained mentors, brothers and sisters from saying yes my junior year. The Feather filled a piece in my life that had been missing before and I am forever grateful. From my first interview to going to Columbia University to teach and accept a team award, The Feather has tremendously helped me to grow as a writer and a person.
We started off senior events strongly with senior retreat, which was something I will always remember because we all grew close through prayer and vulnerability; a bond that can’t ever be broken. In the chaos of the fall season, homecoming, cheer clinic and senior nights flew by in the blink of an eye. My fall senior night was the most emotional, standing in front of a cheering crowd knowing my time on the football field was coming to an end. The orange leaves began to fall then before we knew it, our last formal came around in the cold winter season. We put on our best suits and ball gowns for our final glamorous night at “A Night in Winter Wonderland”. After that we went onto Christmas break for many of our final Christmases living at home, a memorable final holiday as kids. The cold winter season went slow at first, but looking back it flew by with competitions every weekend and so many fun trips with friends and family. The doomsday of my final senior night and final competition became a reality and as I stepped off of the mat for the last time, I realized how time had flown. Grasping onto the little time I had left, I began to fill everyday with fun events and people who make me happy. Whether going to Disneyland or hugging my favorite freshman girls in the hallways, big or small things would add to the joy in my life.
So many milestones came so fast in the spring. I went on my first road trip for senior ditch day; I flew across the country to New York for the first time and I decided on my college. Flowers bloomed and all of a sudden, it was time for our last Sadie’s and Powderpuff, both sentimental and amazing events. The cool weather began to turn to early summer temperatures, and our last few events finally came; Prom and CSF Awards. In the midst of the grad party and finals season, we continue to hold onto our final few days. Senior year was packed beyond belief, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I got the privilege of being a cheer captain, senior editor, small group leader, CSF member and leadership student. This year, I learned how to smile, how to be okay with change and how to cherish every little moment in a limited time. If I could give any advice to anyone beginning their senior year it would be this: fill your life with things that will make you happy and never let anyone steal your joy. As Jim Hopper once said, “Make mistakes, learn from ’em. And when life hurts you, because it will, remember the hurt. The hurt is good. It means you’re out of that cave.” – Jim Hopper
In my lifetime at Fresno Christian, I have been blessed to have crossed paths with so many different people who have impacted my life in so many ways. I will forever be grateful for the people who made my childhood, athletic and schooling experience into something I will always love and reminisce on.
To my parents, thank you for sending me here and supporting me for years. You guys set my life on the right path and I am so thankful for all of the opportunities you have given me. To my dad, thank you for driving me to school every day for the first 16 years of my life. Our car rides full of laughter and music will be something I’ll remember for a lifetime and will miss forever. I’ve loved growing up next to you and I deeply respect your mental toughness and positivity. Thank you for being a light in my life and showing me that life doesn’t always need to be so serious. And to my mom, thank you for teaching me the life lessons I’ve needed and will need for the rest of my life. You’ve taught me to find happiness in life and to “never let anyone steal my joy”. You’ve been not only my mom, but my best friend in life and you always will be. I admire your strength and determination you use everyday and I aspire to be as mentally tough and caring as you are. I love you most. Thank you guys for raising me and providing me with an amazing life.
To my siblings Sean and Kayla, thank you for growing up with me and teaching me how to Stanky leg. Sean, I admire your work ethic and optimism. You’ve been the best older brother I could ever ask for and I’ll always remember our Johns Incredible days after school. Thank you for making me fat in middle school. Kayla, I admire your compassion and ability to learn. You’ve always been my cool older sister, and I will always cherish our Justin Bieber obsession, rooming together and our just dance nights. I love you both so much.
To my friends: Parker Bagley-Tew, Anna Pascual, Anne Madelyn Morgan, Austin Kinzle, James Emerian, Drew Russo, Benson Elbert, Georgia Karlson, Natalie Garcia, Chloe Serimian, Sarah Guglielmana, Isabella Garza, Madeleine Durham, Jasity Wilborn, Delaney Meyers, Tayla Tarlton, Hudson Mott, Caleb Eldridge, and Matt Tacchino; thank you for being like a family to me. I am so blessed to have grown close to every one of you and you guys are truly a second family to me. Whether joking around in English, going on random adventures and volleyball games or rage baiting each other in Leadership, each one of you has had an impact on my life that I will never forget.
To my original and day one friends: Kennedy Schwab and Lydia Goldsborough; thank you for always being present and caring. Whether a thousand miles away in Michigan or at the same school, you have both been a big part of my life and I am so glad that no matter what we do in life I will always have you two.
To my best friend and boyfriend Jacob Christensen, thank you for being my other half, my rock and my person. Whether laughing at meaningless reels, venturing to Disneyland or just spending time together, you’ve been with me through it all. I can say we’ve grown up together because for the past two and a half years, we’ve learned a lot about life side by side. You’ve taught me how to be myself and to be confident. You’ve shown me how to have fun in life and to forgive. And most importantly, you’ve taught me how to trust. I know God has amazing plans in store for you. As you enter into this next chapter in your life, no matter where you go or what you do, you will do amazing things. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your impact and you will always have a special place in my life, as well as in my car as a passenger princess.
In the trials and tribulations of high school, I made caring and compassionate friends that I would have never expected to make at the beginning of high school. “And in the chaos, all those walls broke down. And I made new friends. I made friends who were never even supposed to be my friends. And this wasn’t just me. I saw this happen with so many others. And when you get to know people who are different from you, you begin to learn more about yourself. You change, you grow. I’m a better person now. I’m a better person because of them, because of my friends. – Dustin Henderson
To my final cheer team, you guys have been the best team I have ever had in my whole athletic career. The way we have persevered and uplifted one another while working toward big goals has been something I will never forget. We had a historical year, and I am so honored to not only have been captain of this team, but to have been friends with all of you. I know every single one of you will do amazing things with your futures and I cannot wait to see you guys prosper in your lives. I love you all!!
To my Feather Advisor Kori James, thank you for teaching me how to smile confidently after junior year homecoming. You taught me how to lead with confidence, to be myself and to find joy in the small victories, no matter what circumstance surrounded me. As you would say, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I admire your passion for teaching, and I deeply appreciate how much you’ve impacted my confidence and view on life.
To my other mentors and coaches Hope Villines and Ashley Sciacqua, thank you guys for being a second mom and a big sister to me as well as people I can look up to. I admire both of you for your undeniable strength and resilience, as well as patience and kindness. You have both made a deep impact on my life from all of the hardships and challenges you have walked through with me, and I will always remember you guys as the power duo. Ashley, thank you for being a comedic relief in my difficult times and for always being present. And Hope, thank you for igniting my passion for cheerleading and for trusting and investing in me for the past seven years. You have been there for me since middle school and have taught me how to pour into athletes, persevere and have patience. I love you both so much.
To my little freshman friends and sisters, Lauren Loucks, Mia Browning and Kate Antonsen, never change and enjoy all of the moments in high school. Being your honorary big sister has been an absolute honor, and I cherish all of the sweet memories we’ve made. I love you all so much and I will always be here for you.
And finally, to my teachers and staff who have taught me and nurtured me to grow, thank you all. Michelle Devereaux, Jaci Siebert, Nicole Larson, Kori James and Silva Emerian, thank you especially. You guys have all been teachers and staff I have grown close to and been able to be myself around. Each one of you taught me something different to apply in my adult life and I am so thankful I was able to be your student.
As I close out my time at Fresno Christian, I am able to look back on all the memories and people who have been a part of my life for so long and give thanks to God for putting me on this path. I grew up at FC. I learned. I made friends. I went on field trips. I was an athlete. I was a student. I was a mentor. I tried and failed sometimes. I succeeded other times. I cried. I laughed. I gained and lost people. I lost and found myself again. I got my heart broken. I put myself out there. I learned hard lessons. And most importantly, I grew my relationship with God. As Winnie the Pooh said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” My time in high school has come to an end, but my lifetime at Fresno Christian has prepared me for an amazing life filled with joy as I head off to the next adventure. This place will always be home to me, and I will always be proud to say that I was a part of a legacy with the Feather and went to Fresno Christian.
To read more from The Feather, visit Senior Reflection: Jacob Christensen and Senior Reflection: Hayden Spurrier
