“If you’re the kind of person who senses there’s something out there for you beyond whatever it is you’re expected to do – if you want to be extraordinary – you will not get there by hanging around a bunch of people who tell you you’re not extraordinary. Instead, you will probably become as ordinary as they expect you to be”.

I read theses words while browsing through author Kelly Cutrone’s autobiography. These words have stayed with me. I began freshmen year as an awkwardly shy girl whose main goal was to fit in and find herself.

I quickly became a “yes” girl. Want to join Interact Club? Yes. Want to run Track? Yes. Want to write for newspaper? Yes. Want to start a club? Yes. Want to be in NHS? Yes. Want to volunteer here, here and here? Yes, yes and yes.

These are only a small selection of all the clubs and organizations I was involved in. My willingness to explore these groups within Northwest has helped me surround myself with a diverse group of friends.

They say that you are a combination of all the people you surround yourself with. I attribute my maturity, success and happiness to the people I have met over the past four years. There is no better place to show my gratitude than my senior column.

International Baccalaureate Diploma students: The past two years of this grueling program have sure been a roller coaster, but I wouldn’t take back  the all-nighters, the study sessions or even the mental breakdowns. I can say with certainty that I would not have survived without all of you. I now know true friendship is staying up until 2 a.m. with your friends so that they can do well on a test the next day.

room 151: I can honestly say that I have met the most welcoming and genuine people in this room. I will never forget the memories from worknights. Room 151 will always be the room where people accept you with open arms in spite of all your weirdness. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to meet you and work with you to publish The Passage, The Lair and smnw.com

Interact Club: I have been involved with Interact Club since the first day I stepped into Northwest. I attribute most, if not all of my leadership skills, to this club. I am thankful that I had the honor to collaborate with my fellow classmates on projects that not only benefited our own community but also the world.

Friends and Family: It is difficult to put into words how thankful I am for the people closest to me. There is nothing more important as a human being than having a good support for the good and bad times. I want to thank you all for helping me grow from an awkward and shy freshman to a confident and fearless adult who is ready take on the world.

By surrounding myself with a good group of people who believed in me, I was able to accomplish my goals and ambitions. The advice that I would like to leave behind for underclassmen is that one of the most important aspects of success is the elimination of negativity. If someone does not believe that you are able to succeed, you should not accept their negative energy.