School's Out!

Starting in August of 2023, I enrolled in my fourth year at PA Cyber. Although I had plenty of wonderful experiences at the school, I’ve also had very not-so-nice ones. My friend, Liv, whom I met through my district school, introduced me to PA Cyber in eighth grade. I am forever grateful for attending a school that has allowed me to excel in extracurriculars, clubs, NHS, classes, and other fun events they sprinkle throughout the year. The classes I took were the following: CIHS American National Government, CIHS English Composition, Physical Science, Short Stories, Criminal Justice, and the dreaded math course, geometry. My top three favorite classes were Short Stories, Criminal Justice, and English Composition. I am very much more of a History/English student than a maths or science student.

I eased my way into school during the end of August and early September. Being disappointed over not being in the Newspaper Club any longer, I needed a way to let go and write which gave me the idea of starting Coffee Talk with Jill. Only small details were planned at first, but I longed to be able to publish again. In September, I celebrated my best friend, Jill’s, birthday. I also started to practice piano at the music school where I volunteered. I met one of the most important people in my life today, Summer. A girl who started as my piano teacher quickly became one of my life’s best friends. I appreciate having a friend who is also a mentor and loves jazz music as much as I do.

When I reached October of 2023, it was my favorite time of the year, fall. I love the crunchy leaves and Halloween decorations. There is something so absolutely comforting about a windy autumn breeze. I started getting more into jazz music, became obsessed with Laufey and Olivia Rodrigo, and quickly fell in love with playing the piano. Coffee Talk with Jill was also established in October of 2023, the best decision I have ever made. ❤️

November and December flew by, and as I went through the school year I fought with struggling in my math course. Although it seems funny on paper, I had a lot of trouble with learning geometry and keeping up with the workload. In addition, it made me slowly distance myself from Coffee Talk, but I wrote when I could. I met a someone, and I really liked him too, but it all seems like a very distant and cold memory now. I have grown so much from the person I was in November of 2023, so it is a refreshing reminder that things don’t stay the same forever.

January of 2024 came the New Year, and winter break came to a very quick end. In short, January was not the greatest month for me. However, I started teaching piano and voice lessons at the infamous music school, which I was absolutely thrilled about. This is when I fully decided what I wanted to do for my future. I love teaching, bonding with my students, and watching them grow as little individuals. It is such a rewarding feeling when I see new students come to class confused and leave feeling proud of themselves.

In February of 2024, I went to Disney World for the first time ever which was the best birthday gift I received. I went with my gram and aunt, and we had an absolute blast. In addition, when I got back from Florida, I had a birthday party that was tea party themed. I felt really loved and special when I turned 17. It was a memory I will definitely cherish forever, even though a lot of things didn’t work out. As the months grew, I had more and more students sign up for lessons at the music school. 

Moving on to March, I learned a lot about myself. Most importantly, I learned how to love myself and be my own best friend. Getting lost in a romance novel, playing with my dog, writing some poetry, or learning a new song are all still such wonderful outlets I have to give love to. Appreciating time for me meant appreciating myself. Nothing overpowers setting out time in the day to just relax, even if it's for a couple of minutes.

And as April showered, more flowers blossomed in May. Kicking myself to get all of my school work done, working at Kohl’s, and working at the music school, all really made my schedule crazy. I genuinely thought I wasn’t able to finish all of my schoolwork, so I took off a weekend to get through all of my assignments in one go. Good news, I passed with all high grades and I couldn’t be more happy to finish the school year on a good note.

This summer, I am going to set goals for myself. I want to explore the pretty things in the world and stick around people that I love, and more importantly, that love and appreciate me back. Summer of 2024 will be filled with going bowling with my best friend, Jill, watching slasher movies with Pap, and going to First Watch for brunch with Summer. I have high hopes of this being the best summer yet.