Author | Lydia Rice |
Well, it's been quite the year guys. I would be lying if I said I wasn't totally ready for the summer because I will finally be free from school!
But you know, it's bittersweet. Next year there will be new faces as freshmen join and we'll miss the old ones as seniors go off to college.
Speaking of which, there is one senior this year that I can say truly changed my life, which as a junior is really important to me. Sure, this year we have been blessed with many awesome seniors (I'll always love Amber Burgess for her hilarious jokes and caring nature), but it is a lot of effort to be intentional about making a positive impact in other people's lives.
Those of you who went to the winter banquet will have heard Rachel's passionate speech. She was vulnerable and real and brave, emphasizing the impact friendships have. One thing that struck me was the power we all had - how anyone can change someone's life and their own by being vulnerable and authentically pushing themselves to their fullest potential. (Nathan Wright also did a great speech about testing our boundaries while we have the safety net of high school).
Frankly, I'm a fairly cynical person, but Rachel's words made an impact. She didn't say "make friends with everyone in the whole school" or act like no one would ever have disagreements. Instead, she championed basic human decency: waving to someone, saying hi, trying to start a conversation.
That is the minimum we should be expected to do as people and afterthoughts if we truly follow Christ. I may not like someone. I may think they are obnoxious or arrogant and they might not like me, but that doesn't mean we should pretend they don't exist. Rachel's ideal of friendly affirmation is a good principle, made great because of the humility it requires.
Since the end of summer entering the beginning of the school year, I have had the immense pleasure of seeing Rachel live this principle. She has led journalism through the flu and crazy picture scheduling - not to mention the general hassle of starting a club - with a kind smile and welcomed all of the new students. It's easy to forget she isn't a student herself, to remove her nerves or insecurities under the shadow of her position, but I believe that would be a discredit to her strength. No matter what your age, it must be some level of nerve wracking to lead and befriend people you might never have seen before - while juggling college applications and life - but Rachel has always been genuine and encouraging, allowing anyone to contribute ideas and letting them do what they are passionate about. I've enjoyed her witty jokes and earnest sympathy when everyone's running a little late and a lot confused. Without a doubt, I can say that Rachel is the senior that most influenced my school year.
Inspired by the first icebreaker Rachel led us in during our first meeting, my fellow journalism members have described Rachel in these words.
"
Dedicated
Brave
Joyful
Kind
Hilarious
Journalism club isn't just writing. It's editing and website design and social media promotion and photography and brainstorming and deadlines and interviewing and a bunch of other craziness. In fact, Rachel essentially leads like 12 different smaller groups.
Maybe it wasn't THE perfect year of journalism - we've had our missed deadlines and other crazy blips, but it was the first year and I'll never forget it. To Rachel, and to all my other awesome, crazy journalism members, thank you.