In my sophomore year, I finally found my footing in MV in the form of clubs and organizations across campus. This transition from the sports world to the leadership one was sudden and substantial but necessary for my high school career. Now, in my final year of high school, I am the one seeing these new MV students come into the clubs and organizations I lead and it is bittersweet, to say the least.

Joining these clubs my sophomore year was a turning point in my life, with new people to look up to and new opportunities to conquer. Justice Malone was my first Student Body President and I looked up to her since she had a myriad of items going on in her school life, including a commitment to a Division One Ivy League softball program, and still somehow found a way to lead her student body well. I continuously look back on Justice as someone I have molded my senior year after, remembering to continue no matter how stressed I might be because you on the other side of your stress are a better person.

One club that has been a constant in my high school career has been Vernois News. My freshman year, Vernois News was just getting on its feet again after the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by Roman Harrison and Caden Plummer, with Jacque and I helping, I see us as the Mount Rushmore that truly brought Vernois News back to its past acclaim. I looked at Roman and Caden as if they were grown men, and as I sit here and write as a senior, I don’t feel that way about myself.

That is the one thing you have to remember as a senior, however. You never know who is looking up to you and who will be impacted by your work. There are many underclassmen that I see as key pieces to their class who will become great leaders and vital members of their respective clubs, organizations, and sports.