I’d love to write something life-changing and profound, but how do you sum up the last 18 years of your life in just a few hundred words? So, I’ll leave you with this: the days are long, but the years are short.

Sure, I’ve had my fair share of eye rolls and dramatic groans at classroom assignments, but the teachers, staff, and students at Albert Lea High School are people I’ll miss deeply. Being on the Ahlahasa staff for the past three years has been one of the most impactful parts of my high school experience. If I could do it all again, I would, but definitely with a less intensive workload.

Next year, I plan to pursue a degree in nursing at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. You might think my time in journalism wouldn’t be as relevant as my science classes, but Ahlahasa taught me life skills no textbook could. I learned how to present to business professionals while selling ads, traveling on my own, how to foster a positive and respectful work environment, and how crucial journalism is, especially in today’s political climate.

If high school has taught me anything, it’s this: don’t just join things for the résumé. Do what excites you. You don’t need to fit into a single box. Yes, I’m going into healthcare—but I also care deeply about storytelling, community engagement, and advocating for others. At the end of the day, the thing that makes you stand out the most is the one you never expected to matter.