Looking back on all of my years at RM, I can’t help but notice how much I have grown, as both a student and a person.

If I had to use one word to describe how I felt when I first walked through the doors of the main entrance and took my first steps onto Main Street, it would be unsure. I was, as many other freshmen are, nervous about the beginning of a new chapter in my life with no clear picture of what I wanted to do in the future. I had friends who I came to high school with, but I still felt lost in a sea of incredibly smart and capable students.

If someone were to travel back in time and tell my freshman self the kind of person that I would be now, in May of my senior year, I would probably have thought that they were lying. That much shyer, quieter and more self-conscious version of myself would be shocked to find out that in just four short years, I would be getting the opportunity to lead the Forensic Speech team, become the president of our English Honor Society and even start new clubs about the things I’m passionate about. Overcoming that doubt was the most challenging thing that I faced as I grew into the person that I am today, but it is also what I am most proud of, and I hope to continue growing as I start the next chapter of my life in college.

If I could go back and talk to a freshman version of Lydia, I would tell her to not be so afraid to make mistakes or take risks, and to just chase whatever it is that she wants to do. If there were ever any regrets that I had, they were too often the result of not giving myself the chance to try in the first place instead of the result of having tried and failed. I would tell her to go join all the clubs she wants to, even if she didn’t have any experience, and I would tell her to not be afraid to try out for the tennis team, because joining that team is how she meets some incredibly friendly and wonderful people. 

I would also remind her to say a quick thank you to my parents and all of the coaches and teachers who have guided my journey throughout my time at RM. They have inspired me to push myself and be curious about everything I learn, both in and outside the classroom. I want to especially thank Ms. Peyer, my IB Literature teacher of two years, for being an amazing, passionate and wonderfully thoughtful teacher (and Tide sponsor). I would also like to thank Ms. Kidd for everything she does for The Tide and our fourth period journalism class.  

My experience at RM is one that I will never forget, and I hope to carry everything I have learned with me as I begin the next part of my life and journey.