To be honest, at the end of my freshman year, I felt ready to be up here. I watched many of my friends go through senior year and felt completely ready to move forward. I couldn't bear the thought of another year at County High School, in what I thought would be standing water. At that point in my life, I had no idea how much I had left to learn and how much one more year at County High would mean. In the end it was, overall, one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. From the beginning it wasn't what I expected. The boys' tennis, never a very strong team at County High, surprised me, and that alone was an unforgettable experience. I never imagined playing in the championship final, I was as surprised as anyone else and when I missed out on the national team I was as disappointed as anyone else. Other activities have left their mark; finally getting involved in the arts, finally playing with a jazz band, finally leaving the orchestra completely. I also never imagined that something called a "bowl of knowledge" could be so much fun. Each activity, in itself, built a memory that I will cherish forever. Even more than the activities, the people I grew close to this year became the pillars of who I became. Most of my good friends graduated last year and I thought I would be lost without them. The situation, however, ended up being exactly the opposite, and now I can't imagine what I would be like if I had never gotten closer to my good friends now. I watched myself and those around me become better, stronger people. Now I can say that I wouldn't give up even a second of my time here. The teachers here, the other students, the opportunities and experiences have made me who I am today.