On my first day as a senior I was no longer on the bottom of the totem pole. I was excited for all the perks of this rise in hierarchy. I felt rejuvenated and like an experienced traveler who knows the ins and outs of a place extremely well.

Sophomore year is the lost year; I don?t have many memories during that time. I simply struggled to survive. It was better than freshman year though as things were becoming slowly more familiar with high school.

By junior year something finally clicked and the world seemed a better place. Except for more intense studying than I had experienced before, the year was full of excitement because I was an upperclassmen. Confidence builds through each year and new experience.

My most memorable moments in high school were during Night of the Stars during my junior year we won ?Best Picture? and then winning again this year. Making our homecoming floats were always fun and created great class bonding moments.

The one thing I will take away from my encounters on campus is the long-lasting friendships I have made with my peers and teachers. In the beginning I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life and now I have discovered a joy and passion for my purpose.

My purpose has best been slowly revealed to me through the video productions class and in journalism. Even though this was only my first year in journalism, I have learned a useful amount that will carry me far in my future.

I only wish I had discovered this joy sooner. I have gained a lot of hands on experience through these classes. By taking journalism, I have discovered that I love to tell people?s stories and preserve significant and even insignificant events.

As I prepare to move on to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, I will never forget all that I have learned. My experiences in journalism, video productions, and yearbook have sparked my interest in making a difference in the world through the media. I plan on studying media communications with an emphasis in film studies. I may even possibly double major in journalism.

I have been blessed with numerous career-building opportunities like working with the Fresno Police Activities League making videos for them and being able to help make a positive image girls magazine through the peer counseling class.

The best advice I can send to upcoming senior classes is to seize the day. Do not wait until the last year to realize how great this school is and what wonderful teachers and students it has.

My life changed when I chose to get involved. When I decided to not sit back and let everybody else have all the fun, I enjoyed life more fully. I found my niche and used it to my advantage. The best use of my time was spent in what I loved and best used it to help others.