“So, I’m 17 years old and I was born and raised in Poteau. I’ve lived here all my life, and a big moment that changed my life was when I decided to quit soccer because it no longer fit into my schedule, and I felt that I had to juggle a lot of my classes. I was struggling to, y’know, keep up with my grades. So I switched out of soccer and was put into library science with Mrs. Cruse. At the time, I didn’t know who she was, other than her being the librarian. I honestly thought she was scary and possibly mean. But, as the semester went on, I grew to really like having her as my teacher. Whenever we talked, she gave me a lot to think about. I thought a lot about my life and more about school and how I could grow as a person. And starting my junior year, our talks really, I don’t know, made me into a better person. So she has really inspired me to do many things and to never give up, and to stay positive, and because of that, I would like to advise the incoming freshman, or just anyone, to never be afraid to try anything new. Just always try to talk to others who you might not have thought of, make new friends, and realize all of the opportunities in front of you, because high school isn’t forever. It goes by fast, and I know that’s a super cliche thing to say, but it really does, even if it doesn’t seem like it. So just enjoy it while it lasts.”
