Oh skittles. For four years I have waited for the last issue of senior year so that I could write a senior goodbye, and now that it’s here, I have no idea what to say. All I remember is that I never intended to start like this.

Well, okay. Let’s start off with a goodbye to Arroyo. All these years I’ve complained about Arroyo, but I now realize that it’s not that bad. We’ve got a campus larger than the Vatican, cool teachers who actually care, and administrators who let the school newspaper staff print scandalous and salacious things (within reason, of course). What more could we ask for?

Speaking of the newspaper, the Knights Banner has changed so much since I came on the staff first semester of freshman year. Remember when we printed on long printer paper, with a huge font and pictures that looked like big black blobs? Now we’re on newsprint (with color!) and on the Internet, and our content is winning national awards. Take that, Minh Tran.

I think that even though I’m moving off to intellectual la-la land in a few months, a part of me will still miss Arroyo. In fact, I might miss Arroyo so much next year that I’ll write an essay about this place. If I do, I’ll be sure to post it on the Internet for all to see.

It’s almost unreal that all of this is coming to an end. Arroyo, and the newspaper especially, has become part of my life, and parting is not going to be easy. I’m very proud of how far this newspaper has come, and it’s hard to let go. Hard not having to stay until 8 PM—or later—to work on layout. Hard not having to bang my head on the keyboard while plagued with writer’s block. Hard not having to push back deadline again… and again… and again. I don’t want to have to part with my baby, as difficult and demanding as she is! Now I know how my parents feel.

With that said, I would like to thank the Academy….

To Ms. Swanson: Thank you for being such a great advisor! Not everyone has the stamina to put up with us wild, boisterous, procrastinating teenagers. Your believing in me has got me where I am today. I really cannot express in words my gratitude for all that you have done.

To Mr. Richardson: Thanks for trusting us to print what is right, what is current, and what is newsworthy. If it weren’t for you, the Knights Banner would not have been able to transform itself into what it is now.

To Sammy: Thanks for being the cool, non-dictatorial leader of the gang. Good luck with the paper next year! I have no doubt that the Knights Banner will turn out even better in your hands, as you handled all those Calvin-free issues very well. I hope you didn’t catch Editor-in-Chief-itis from me. A deadly disease, it is.

To Nelson: Oh, Nelson. How far we’ve come! Remember Journalism 1 and all the craziness? I hope it’s not too late to appoint you Editor of Keeping It Real. Thanks for never disappointing me!

To Kevin Huynh: Wow. I remember when you were the quiet kid who sat in the corner. Now, I know differently. Thanks for being so reliable and so funny. I know you will do well next year. As News Editor, you are not allowed to get senioritis!

To Elizabeth: Thanks for being a ray of sunshine! =) (And taking all of those sports stories. A million thanks for that, and I mean it.)

To Jeanette: When I come back 2 years from now, I expect the pictures to move like in Harry Potter. Just kidding. Thanks for always being so reliable!

To Kevin Chan: Thanks for being you! If I come back for the 10 year reunion and you’ve turned all serious on us, I’ll be very sad. Keep doing your thing, especially that whole “KNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHTS! UNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITE!” business. I’d like to hear that one last time.

To Gabby: Your upbeat attitude is just what we needed this year. Thanks for never being mean to me… haha.

To Annie: You were a very welcome addition to our team! It’s too bad we didn’t start off with you. If you go cow tipping, do send me some pictures.

To Minh: Thanks for putting me on the staff all those years ago! I’m not quite sure where I would be if you hadn’t.

To all the Knights Banner alumni from the last few years: Thanks for being so cool. I still miss all you guys!

To Mr. Colvin: Thanks for believing that I can speak, and for spending all those long competition days with us!

To Ms. Gregory: Thanks for letting me into your class in sophomore year! That changed everything.

To Ms. Hunter: Never forget me. I certainly will never forget you. Thank you for all your support and all your help!

To Ms. Laun-Flores: Estoy agradecido por todo su ayuda. Espero que pueda hablar con usted totalmente en español cuando volveré en el invierno.

To Ms. Sadler: Thanks for spending all that time on all those forms! I could not have done it all without you.

To Mr. Shonk, Ms. Elardo, Mr. Eastridge, Ms. Witt, and Mr. Vu: I’ve got to say, all the cool teachers come from the Social Science department (no offense to any of the other departments). Thanks for being the awesome personalities you are.

To Mr. Wit: I seriously cannot think of a more dedicated teacher on campus. Thank you for always being there!

To Mr. Wong and Ms. Bolen: Thanks for helping me prove to myself that I’m not (too) mathematically and scientifically challenged!

To the Boys’ PE Department: Thanks for getting me to where I am today. No, really. I mean it.

I’d like to conclude with a few lines from one of my favorite songs, “No Such Thing” by John Mayer.

“They love to tell you / Stay inside the lines / But something’s better / On the other side”.