It is with a heavy heart that I write my final goodbye as the journalism advisor in the last OwlFeed Senior Edition that I will have a hand in. 

What a privilege it has been to advise this class for seven years. Working with our student journalists was always a highlight of my day. Hearing your ideas, seeing you challenge each other’s thinking and seeing you grow each day as writers was a wonder to behold. I’d like to specifically thank my senior OwlFeed writers, whom I credit with keeping the class alive and bringing us out of the pandemic stronger than ever. You will forever have my highest esteem as writers, as truth-seekers, and most importantly, as people.

To the whole Class of 2022, I’m so proud of you for surviving the year we all naively thought would be a “return to normal” after a year of online school. The pandemic has changed our society in ways I think we are still coming to grips with. It’s very easy to focus on the things that the pandemic has denied you, but instead I urge you to look forward and celebrate those things that you are now starting to reclaim. 

High school has simply been a vehicle driving you to make meaning of yourself and discover your passions. Over four years, you found the subjects that sparked your interests, the sports and activities you devoted countless hours to, and the friendships that have shaped you forever. 

One of my favorite authors, Kurt Vonnegut, called this “experiencing becoming.” He once advised young people to: “Practice any art—music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage—no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.” (I would include sports or hobbies in this list too). 

Whether your next step is college, a career, or a mix of both, you must continue to experience becoming. Keep yourself engaged in the things you love, challenge yourself in ways that make you uncomfortable, embrace the ups and downs, and become the person who you want to be.

Thank you for the impact you have made on AFHS. Congratulations and Owl Pride forever!