It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…

What a time to be graduating high school. I could go on about how Dickens’s infamous opening line is still excellent social commentary applicable to both high school and the 21st century, but this isn’t another one of my viewpoint articles.

I’ve written and curated myriad pieces over my time on The Howler to inform and educate, to do more than represent the student body: to showcase what we care about as Northwood students but also what we should be caring about.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read from our pages over the past few years. Thank you, to this newspaper, for giving me this platform to write, to speak, to share. Independent journalism is needed now more than ever, and student newspapers are no exception.

For some people who I have needed at various lengths and continue to inspire me, I have some more immensely abridged, cheesy thank- you’s.

To my family: I am so privileged to have the family I do, and I would not trade our idiosyncrasies for anything else. Actions speak louder than words, so I hope you hear my voice unwavering when I love you all.

To the Northwood staff: Thank you for caring for and supporting students. Instructors, custodians, counselors, administration alike— your jobs aren’t easy and high school students are a lot. So much of your efforts go unnoticed or underappreciated. Thank you for keeping the torch lit anyway.

To my friends: I can’t believe it but we’ve made it this far. You are all such multidimensional, capable beings and I’m ever grateful for the times we shared together. Thank you for keeping me in check and in your hearts. And To my peers who I probably won’t ever get to talk to personally, I know you all can make a positive difference. I hope you choose to do so every day and own up when you don’t.

There are so many words to say, and no way of saying them all. I’ve grown and experienced so much in the past four years, and it has been one wild journey that has left me both drained and galvanized. The unknowns of the future are both blood-curdling and invigorating, and there is a big storm coming.

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.