When you look at the class of 2018, there is a lot to be proud of. State champions, gifted musicians, talented artists, superb actors, amazing writers, creative photographers — this group has it all. One of the things I’m most proud of is this class’s versatility. They have the capacity to be multi-dimensional. They participate in many different activities; they are friends with people from many different groups.

Throughout these four years, I’ve discovered that CMR is not just a school, but a team. Teams are most successful when players care for each other. Sometimes, that simply means showing up — to celebrate musical and theater talents at Stuff 6.0, to congratulate artists on their artwork at Colors of Fall, or to cheer on our now state-champion basketball team. Other times, that means making a conscious effort to help others out. By reporting on students in the Stampede and by working with them to create a better environment through student government, I was fortunate enough to learn about countless pockets of talent, passion, and struggle at CMR. To learn about these issues and to report on them is the first step to solving them. But this requires an open mind, a curiosity, and a drive to create change in a positive way.

As an athlete, I learned what it meant to represent this school competitively. The tradition of Rustler athletics is a special one, and finding success on the court and on the course was an important part of my high school experience. More importantly, I also made some of my closest friends through athletics.

As my classmates became friends and my teachers became mentors, I collected many memories that transformed the way I think about the world. I learned a lot in high school, and much of it wasn’t even in the classroom. Many of these relationships we’ve formed will remain long after caps have been thrown, and while I’m looking forward to the next chapter, I’ll always appreciate my time as a Rustler.