The moment I’ve been waiting for has arrived, yet it doesn’t hold all of the relief I thought it would. While my raging senioritis has had me counting down the days until that final walk across the stage, flashbacks of the little moments I’ll never live through again have imparted a sense of nostalgia in my heart.
I didn’t plan on attending Fresno Christian; I thought it was too small and was nervous about having to start over. After struggling through Granite Ridge Middle School and realizing my friends were heading down a different path, one I wasn’t interested in participating in, I prayed and made a change before my freshman year.
The only person I knew when I came to Fresno Christian was Tayla Tarlton, ’26. She has been an amazing friend to me since birth and is my most enthusiastic supporter. It is because of her that I had the courage to join cheer, putting myself in an uncomfortable position in order to meet new people. We have seen each other grow through the ups and downs of high school, and it has been a joy to participate on the same team as her. Cheer is a hard sport, even if everybody says its just dancing with a big bow. As a Senior Varsity Cheer captain, I learned to lead with love and grace, and I have met so many girls that I am thankful for.
Fresno Christian is one of my greatest blessings, and I don’t know where I would be today if I hadn’t made the switch. The friends I have made push me toward God, challenge my shortcomings and encourage me to be better than I was the day before. I finally have a group that supports me and truly has my back. There is no greater joy than attending a school where your peers and teachers have a shared goal: spiritual growth. I have forged relationships with teachers and coaches in a way that isn’t possible at such large schools; I can confidently say that I am leaving this school with a community of people who have mentored and loved on me and who can’t wait to watch me thrive.
It wouldn’t be right to reflect on my high school years without giving a shoutout to my tennis coach and history teacher, Robert Foshee. Our team has lovingly dubbed him “Father Tennis” because of his infinite wisdom and aura, and the mentor he has become to each of us. Always there with a Dr. Pepper and a dad joke, I never doubted that my biggest cheerleader had my back. He believed in me before I did, always in my corner and encouraging me when it felt like my efforts were not bearing fruit. I tried to quit once in my junior year when I got overwhelmed, and I thank the Lord that Foshee didn’t let me. From him, I have learned how to be a leader amongst my peers and how to be persistent, even when things get hard.
I thought I wanted to be a psychology major until I met English teacher Stephanie McMullen. Though I grew up an avid reader, consuming a new plot every other day, I never felt that my writing was strong enough to pursue my passions. McMullen has found a way to make learning fun again without the tedious feelings that usually accompany traditional high school curriculum. As we are both readers, it has been amazing to have somebody to trade recommendations with and to bond over shared favorites. I am forever grateful to her for bringing the joy of literature and writing back into my life, and I will never forget our socratic seminar inside jokes.
Then there’s Feather Adviser and U.S. History teacher Kori James; what can I even say that can encompass the impact she has had on my life? From James, I have learned how one conversation can open a multitude of doors, and that you never know what connections will lead to new opportunities. She has taught me how to be a graceful leader, to advocate for myself and my desires and how to support a team of people. I know that I will forever have a friend and mentor in her; in my heart, I know this isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later.
My favorite Fresno Christian memory is participating in the Homecoming Royal Battle. Even though my amazing dance partner, Tycen Ramirez, ’26, and I took second place, we had an absolute blast coming up with choreography and costuming. It was such a cool experience to perform for our peers after working so hard to come up with something worth watching. We will always remember that moment on stage, lights bouncing off my sequin skirt and exchanging our final encouraging sentiments before we gave it our all. The days leading up to the final show felt chaotic, but it was so much fun to be a part of something that was so cheesy and high school.
When I first came to Fresno Christian, I had no clue that The Feather existed; it wasn’t until my sophomore year, upon meeting my best friend Danielle Arndt, ’26, that I learned of the opportunities this program had for writers like myself. I joined The Feather halfway through my sophomore year, and have have been on staff for two and a half years, and a Senior Editor for two of those years.
The Feather has been my favorite overall experience at Fresno Christian, and I have zero regrets about joining because I know that I have found my place and my people. As Adviser Kori James always says, “Work hard, play hard,” and indeed we have. I traveled to New York three times with The Feather and traveled to Eastern Europe last spring.
My most vivid travel memory is the bonding that these trips provide our teams every year; as a sophomore, the team felt like older siblings, but, as a senior, I’ve gotten to be a big sister and friend to the younger members. I will miss the late-night pizza runs and inside jokes we made while piled into little New York hotel rooms and subway trains, but I know I am leaving with many relationships I refuse to lose.
This program is unique in so many ways, and is a front-runner at our school for reasons to attend. Throughout my time on The Feather, I was given the opportunity to teach for two years at Columbia University to fellow aspiring journalists, which was the moment I realized that all of my work was worth something. I have learned so much along the way, from kicking my procrastination tendencies to the curb to how to function in a professional environment. Something I will always appreciate is that this amazing program taught me how to shake a hand and introduce myself with confidence. It sounds small, but it is such a big deal in the professional world; with our generation’s learned culture, it is a breath of fresh air when adults meet a high school student who takes initiative and can have a real conversation.
Being an editor was hard, but I always knew I had a team of people who would not let me fail. I urge all prospective Feather applicants to take a moment and appreciate the root of what the program is all about; no, it is not a free period, but you will learn skills that you can apply in real-world situations–skills that make you hirable. You will also find that we are an eclectic group where everyone is embraced and has a place on our team.
Of all of the articles I’ve written, my favorite has to be Theater Review: MJ musical exhibits ‘Dangerous’ talent and showmanship. I had so much passion for the quality of the musical and got to share it with our school and community. Recognizing that you have a voice is a life-changing experience, and I now know that my passions can become a career.
I plan on attending California Polytechnic University, SLO in the fall in the University Honors program. I hope to get my masters in English, become an English literature professor at a prestigious university or work in publishing so that I get to read all of the new releases. In five to 10 years, my goal is to continue serving the Lord however He sees fit; while my hope is to have an established career, I am open to whatever the Lord has planned for me. My biggest goal is to have a family and serve God together, which is a blessing that I know will come all in His timing.
I have so many people to thank for the memories I am taking with me as I leave, especially:
- My teachers: Kori James and Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
- Thank you for always pushing me to be better and being right there with me when I felt like I had nothing left to give. I’m so grateful to have you two in my life and for the wisdom you have imparted to me.
- My found family: Seniors Danielle Arndt, Benson Elbert, Madeleine Durham, Kyleigh Baca, Chloe Serimian, Georgia Karlson and Sophia Feldkamp, ’28
- Thank you for being my people, with whom I have so many inside jokes and memories. I know that you guys always have my back, and I will make sure to keep in contact with you all.
- Tennis coach and history teacher Robert Foshee
- Thank you for always showing up for me, even when it wasn’t the sport you coach me in. It means the world to me to know my support system at FC is so strong and sincere.
- Office Manager Silva Emerian
- Thank you for being such a loving presence in my life and always being there with words of encouragement and a Bible verse. I will miss you the most, but you and your family will always be in my heart and prayers. Plus, I have two more siblings, so I’ll be back to bother you.
- Cheer coach Hope Villines
- Thank you for always pushing me and being a bright presence in my life. I look up to you for your kind heart, your strong faith, your resilience and your all-encompassing joy. My time on the cheer team has been amazing and I will be back to cheer on future teams.
- My super awesome boyfriend, Tycen Ramirez, ’26
- Thank you for being my rock, my prayer warrior and always encouraging me to work harder. You are such a blessing to me, and I’m so excited for what the future holds. I love you!
- My doubles partner and partner in crime, K’lanna McArn, ’26
- Oh, K’lanna, I will miss you so much more than I’ve figured out how to cope with. We’ve had four years of trauma bonding under the Fresno sun and have so many joyful memories to look back on, though my favorite will always be winning the doubles tournament together. You get me in a way no one else does, like a soulmate. I love you!
- My family
- Thank you to my parents, Robyn Meyers and Jason Meyers, for going against what I thought were my wishes and making this change for me. Looking back, I recognize that it was the best possible thing for me, and I am leaving with a community and a lifetime of beautiful memories. Thank you for always supporting me and being there for every match, competition, success, failure and moment of need. Thank you to my sister Presley Meyers, ’29, for being my biggest cheerleader and also my biggest humbler; I’m going to miss you. Thank you to my brother Jace Meyers, ’33, for making me laugh on the hard days and being such a little joy. I love you all!
Finally, I thank God for answering my deepest prayers with this school and The Feather. He has given me a fortress of a community and so much to be grateful for. I thank Him for giving me something that I am going to miss so much, but I know he has an even bigger plan waiting for me.
I pray that he encourages you all, too, and that you remember the blessings that ensue in the wake of challenges.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,” (James 1:2-4).
Catch you on the flippity flip,
Delaney Meyers
For more senior reflections, visit Senior Reflection: Jacob Christensen and Senior Reflection: Hayden Spurrier.
For more from The Feather, visit Has cinema gone soft? and Class of 2026 wraps up final memories.
