Dear High School Senior..

I've been at college for almost a month; yet, high school seems so long ago. Last Saturday, about 300 high school seniors came to the campus for Fall Preview Day. As I was going back and forth to band practice, I couldn't help noticing those who were visiting the campus. I remembered being in their place just a year before. I had little idea what I would be getting myself into and remembered taking Fall Preview Day with a grain of salt. 

Up to my senior year in high school, I was successful in nearly everything I did. And in my mind, senior year was going to be no different. However, it was. I didn't meet my high-expectations I had for myself. And it was frustrating. I spent most of my senior year moping and dwelling on it. It wasn't until the last few weeks, that I realized how much time I wasted not enjoying my senior year. 

So with that, this is a letter that I wish I could write to the person I was a year ago. 

Dear High School Senior,

Do you remember the first day of kindergarten? You had to leave all your daycare friends behind, and your mom left you for a full day with a bunch of strangers. There were thousands of butterflies in your stomach and you wanted to cry. But you didn't. You made friends with the person sitting next to you, and your classmates were no longer strangers.

Now you're just beginning your last year of high school. You're surrounded by people who care for you, friends who laugh with you, and you always know that you can go home when the day is over.

You probably have high expectations for yourself. You want to continue the legacy you made of yourself and set the standard for the underclassmen following in your footsteps.

It isn't going to be easy.

You're going to make huge decisions. You have to decide which college you want to go to. You have decide what you want to be when you grow up (and even if you have no clue, you're going to have to decide to have an undecided major).

Then you have to decided where your priorities lie. Are you okay with missing a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to audition for something you may not even get? Or will you regret never taking the chance?

You'll also have to decide how you want to maintain your grades. Your English teacher will give you a 30 page handout on greek literature. She'll test you over the entire thing. How much are you willing to study for it? Every other senior seems to be enjoying the fact they decided not to do their homework.

When Christmas Break rolls around, you'll start to realize time is passing way to quickly. But the 2nd semester is always the best. You've got all these competitions to look forward to, and you've got the hang of all the classes.

But then, you let yourself believe that you'll be successful at everything you do. The first time you didn't quite "make the cut" will be hard. You'll have to decide how you want to handle the situation. Will you take the criticism as advice on how to grow? Will you blame other's for your misfortune? Will you mope around expecting everyone to feel sorry for you? Will you rejoice with others as they succeed?

Who knows? You may succeed greatly. But how will you handle it? Will you be humble? Or will you let it get to your head?

Your high school counselor will constantly remind you that you have all these scholarships due, but you'll have to decide if you want to finish it as soon as possible or wait until the last minute.

You'll see people for the last time. You'll have your last history test. You'll have your last band concert. You'll write your last essay. You'll take your last high school picture.

You'll graduate.

Every decision you make, you'll probably be forced to make it on your own. Your attitude will eventually affect the rest of your decisions.

I'm not going to tell you everything you need to do. But I will tell you to enjoy your "year of lasts". You'll only get this year once. Before you make a decision, think about it, pray about it, go about it. 

Sincerely and Love,

Me. 

P.S.: It's always nice to wish others a great day. It's even better if you do it daily. 

"If you're not uncomfortable, you're not really growing."

This past week, I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip. At first, I didn't really want to go. We were going to be doing Backyard Bible Clubs in apartment complexes. What if I didn't tell the stories right? What if the kids didn't think the music was fun? Who in the right mind would send their kids to strangers for two hours?

But on Sunday afternoon, nine of us loaded up in the church bus and headed off to the mission center. I had done some research beforehand on the mission center, but was not prepared for what it was actually like. (Not that it was bad at all. It was really nice, it was just not what I expected.)

The first thing we did was canvas at the two apartment complexes we were going to be at during the week. A lot of people took the flyers, but only few seemed somewhat interested in what were going to be doing.

We began the actual Bible Club on Monday. At the morning camp, we had a 6th grader and a 4 year old show up. I thought for sure that the 6th grader would not enjoy the music, stories, crafts, and games; actually, he enjoyed every bit of it, and he came almost every morning. We had other kids come throughout the four days, but we never had more than 5 kids.

At the afternoon camp, we had a larger number of kids come. They all had fun and loved every bit of it. There was even a salvation made by one of the girls at this complex. 

We did a block party at each of the apartment complexes. 

 These were really neat because we got see the kids interact with their families and friends. We fed everyone hot dogs and hamburgers, and the kids got to play on a Moon Bounce and Slip 'n' Slide.




While all the kids and people at the mission center were inspiring, it was the ones from my church that inspired me the most.



 Coming from a small town, we're usually afraid to step out of our small town ways. This mission trip was far from our comfort zones. We were in a big city, knocking on strangers' doors, sharing our faith to those who may not understand it, and sleeping on the floor and couches. 

But the teenagers and adults from my church never got discouraged. If someone didn't want to accept the flyer, we invited them to the block party anyway. If only one kid came to the Kids Adventure Camp, we still stayed enthused. If it got too hot, we drank some water and kept going. 

The ones from my church inspired me to never get discouraged in my faith. 

Back: Braygan, Justin, Mason, Me, Leigh Ann, and Casey
Front: Laura (my mom), Jace (my brother), and Claire

"A lot of photographers think that if they buy a better camera they’ll be able to take better photographs. A better camera won’t do a thing for you if you don’t have anything in your head or in your heart." – Arnold Newman

One of my favorite things when to do when I am bored is edit pictures. I especially love it when someone sends me a picture to edit for them. I don't really know why I enjoy it, but it gives me something to focus on for a while. 

When I see an incredible image, I almost immedietly pull out my iPhone or camera and take a picture. 

(I took this on the way home from school one day)

I may never do an image justice. And I never expect to make money off of a picture I take. But they hold a special memory of a time that I thought something was especially beautiful. 

Sometimes, when someone sends me a picture, I ask them why they took the picture. Most of the time, it's because they liked what they saw. Sometimes it's because the image is something they love. I love hearing these stories, and I always take that into consideration when I edit their picture. 

            

              (Taken by Kate Sander)

 

              (Taken by Makenzie Kelly) 

Photography inspires me to always have a beautiful outlook on life. Each picture is always different for each person. A picture can be worth a thousand words or a thousand smiles. 

We are Blessed.

It was the summer before I started 6th grade. I invited a friend over to swim in my inflatable swimming pool. However, she was told she had to spend the day with our new principal's daughter. I asked my mom if I could have two friends over, and she said yes, so later that afternoon, my friend and the "new girl" came over.

I don't really remember my first impression of her, but I do remember that she wanted shredded cheese on her hot dog, and she had never seen Full House before. 

This is the one friendships I do not have a clear memory on how we actually became such close friends, but throughout my 6th grade year, we went to each other's houses nearly everyday, she helped raise and show one of my piglets, she would help me walk my sheep everyday, we sat by each other on bus rides, and we talked about the craziest things.

Towards the end of my 6th grade year, Mckenzie and I were eating breakfast at school. I told her that I had an interesting conversation the night before with my parents. She jokingly asked "You're not moving, are you?" I lied and told her no.

I never brought that conversation up again. Kenzie was one of the main reasons I was sad about switching schools, and I didn't really want to tell her. 

The next four years of our friendship could be summarized very quickly. We maybe and talked to each other 15-20 times. 

But then two years ago, she moved to Cheyenne. Again, I don't remember what rekindled our friendship, but before long, we were just like we were my 6th grade year (minus the pig and sheep parts).

We never really talked about the fact she would be switching schools at the end of my 11th grade year. I was really sad that I wouldn't have my best friend at school my senior year. But thank goodness technology has progressed and we rarely go a week without talking. 

The highlight of our friendship was getting to watch her team win the Class B State Championship in basketball this winter.

This girl inspires me in so many ways. She is a godly friend who will tell me exactly what I need to hear. She encourages me daily. And her love for her family and friends is incredible. I am blessed to have Kenzie in my life. 

"There is hope for the future because God has a sense of humor and we are funny to God." - Bill Cosby

I started school at Cheyenne in 7th grade. I knew of most of my classmates, but I didn't really personally know them. Within the first few weeks, I fit in pretty well, but I still was always quiet and preferred sitting in the back. 

I started noticing that this one kid would drop his books every single day. One day, I made some sort of sarcastic remark to him about it, and after that, we became good friends. 

Mason is the funniest kid I know. Period. The only times there are dullmoments around him are when you need to calm down from laughing so much.

He was the Student Council President, and I was the VP for 3 years. During last year's awards assembly, our StuCo advisor said it best:

 

"These two work well together. Both have ideas, and they both are not afraid to tell each other how stupid his or her ideas are." 

I've learned how easy it is to work with someone with the same vision as I; however, it's way more fun to work with someone who's ideas contradict. That way, you can work together to come up with an extraordinary compromise - for the most part. 

Mason and I have been together through 6 first day of school assemblies, 12 choir and band concerts, 6 honor choir concerts, 9 One Act performances, hundreds of classes, an 8th grade graduation, 6 end of school assemblies, a high school graduations, and way more other things than I could write. We can debate over American Idol for hours. Mason has learned that no matter what side he takes in a situation, I will always argue the other side. 

Mason inspires me because he challenges me to see the positive and humorous side of things. I cannot wait to see what this kid does in the future. 

 

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”

My mom is a music teacher, so music has always been a major part of my life. God has blessed me with the ability to sing and play the French horn. Because of these talents, I have been able to perform with hundreds of musicians from across the state and nation. However, my favorite people to perform with are at home

I became close friends to these two individuals because my mom saw the potential we had to become good musicians together. My junior year of high school, we participated in a trio that received the highest rating possible on the state level. 

Conner and Kate inspire me because of their incredible musical talent. I have been in numerous duets and trios with these two, and they both have had many individual success. Both Conner and Kate have made the Jr. High All State Chorus as well as the State FFA Chorus. Conner also made the HS All State Chorus this past year. They each qualified for state with their solos. Conner is really good at the trombone and tuba, and I know for a fact they can play piano way better than I can. 

But it's not just their musical talents that inspire. Conner and Kate have unique talents and characteristics that are the very reason they are my best friends. 

Conner 

We all have at least one friend we love so very much, but every once in a while, you need a little break from them. 

Conner and I can sit for hours complaining about how silly people are. Yet, this kid can quote back to you an entire Scooby-Doo movie. 

Conner and I will get mad at people for talking in band class. Yet, most of the time, we're doing the talking. 

Conner and I will say we will practice out duet without interruption. Yet, we spend most of the time talking about how people need to be more realistic. 

Conner and I will talk about how some people need to let go of grudges. Yet, when one of us gets frustrated, tired, or upset with the other, we completely ignore him/her. 

I go to Conner when I need to vent my frustrations with people. He doesn't judge my hypocritical mind. I love Conner for many reasons, and he will forever be known to me as "Thermostat Boy."

Conner inspires me because he is Conner, and no one can take that from him. 

My Kate

I don't even know where to begin. I love Kate for many many reasons, but I especially love her because she's allowed me to be a "mother hen" to her. 

She doesn't get too mad if I tell her how I feel, but she's never afraid to tell me her side of the story either. 

We have the most random conversations about nothing in particular, and for the most part, we share the same love of music, books, and purple. 

She is a talented basketball player with the potential for extreme greatness, and she has the perfect amount of confidence without being full of herself. 

Kate and I became close just this past year, and I wouldn't trade her for the world. 

Kate inspires me because she challenges me to think in new ways. 

 

"When I'm inspired, I get excited because I can't wait to see what I'llcome up with next." - Dolly Parton

Occasionally, I get calls or text messages from from people who just watched a movie, read a book, or listened to a song. They ask "meaning-of-life" questions, and they are inspired to change a part of their world. For example, if the main character in the book became extremely successful, the reader has the desire and inspiration to become just as successful. I get these same inspirations, but more often then not, it's by watching the people that I know personally achieve great things. 

I was the Cheyenne FFA Reporter from 2009 until recently, when I graduated high school. This was ultimately my favorite part about school. I was able to support my fellow FFA officers and members in their activities, and then I got to write articles that were published in the hometown newspaper about the successes the Cheyenne FFA Chapter had. In four years of being a Cheyenne FFA Chapter Officer, I wrote over 300 articles. I loved being able to show the community the successes that the FFA chapter was having. 

Most of the time, I had to ask someone to send me an update about the livestock show or speech contest, but during the last half of my senior year, I would get texts from four different people at once explaining how many plaques were brought home and by whom, and I didn't even have to ask. I'd like to say that these people would text me not because they knew I had to write an article about the event, but because they knew how excited I would get. 

My favorite articles to write were the ones specifically about one person, such as the "Cheyenne FFA Student of the Month". I loved hearing the stories these kids had about their favorite FFA event, and my favorite question to ask was "What are you most excited for in the FFA?". The answers always varied, but all of the members had some specific goal they wanted to accomplish before the end of the school year, and more often than not, the goals were achieved. That was what inspired me. 

Here is a specific example:

My first year to serve as a Cheyenne FFA Officer was in ninth grade. I had two fellow classmates who were also serving as officers, Bray and Joshua Haven. My first article to write was about the newly elected chapter officers. I asked the question, "What are you most excited for in the FFA?" and along the lines, both answered that they would maybe like to run for State FFA Office. Four years later, my last FFA article to write was about the first set of twins to ever serve on an Oklahoma FFA State Officer Team. 

I had the opportunity to serve as an officer with Bray and Joshua for four years. I wrote articles about nearly all of their success. These two boys rarely missed the opportunity to encourage a fellow FFA member to rise up to his or her potential. The Haven twins inspired me. 

I've had several people tell me that I should start a blog and continue to write. I don't know how often I would write, but when I decided I would, I decided to write it the best way I know how-- about the success of other people and why they inspire me.