Dear Junior Year,

    I’m sad to say that we have to part ways. But that’s how life goes, we must move on and not live in the past. This year brought many memories, some good, some bad, but all memorable. People always say that junior year is the hardest year of high school. I always thought that meant the course work, but I stand corrected. It’s the extracurricular activities, the AP classes, the high school drama, the SAT, the ACT and the overwhelming pressure of college lurking around the corner that truly makes junior year the hardest year to go through. This is one of the many reasons why we must say goodbye.

    Don’t get me wrong, this year was not all bad. I will admit it was tough, but there were just as many ups as there were downs. There were so many positive things this year brought to me. I was able to take part in the school more than I ever have before. I joined the clubs I’ve always wanted, and even made a club of my own. I became a Wyldlife leader for middle school girls. I made friendships, the good kind, the ones that have the potential to last after high school. I became a state champion in UIL journalism. I played on a national volleyball team, which gave me the opportunity to travel out of state to Colorado. I did so much in such a short time, but I have to move on from junior year.

    I think I’ve grown more this year than I have in years prior. I learned a lot about myself and life. I learned how to be patient with my youth group kids. I learned to balance my time in the eight million extracurricular activities that I do. I learned how to deal with stress and problems that everyday life throws at you. I learned that spreading yourself too thin among all of your activities is never a good thing. I matured this year; I think that’s why this year was tough. I had to learn a lot about myself, what I want and who I am, and those aren’t the easiest lessons to learn.

    This year was one I will never forget, I think that’s why it’s so hard to let go and move on. I can’t pinpoint exactly what the future will hold for me, but I know I can’t stay in my junior year forever. I have to move on to next year, then graduate and go off to college. It’s what is meant to be for me. Moving on is the best thing for the both of us. But before we officially go our separate ways, I want to say thank you for all that you have done for me this year. You have given me so many opportunities to be able to live life to the fullest and influence those around me. So, thank you.

Love always,

Avery