It’s crazy to think that after 4 years of being a panther, I am approaching my final days at Lenoir City High School. It’s hard to believe that I will have to leave behind so many classes and programs that meant so much to me. For me, it is especially hard to say goodbye to journalism. I have found so much passion and love in this class; it has inspired me to pursue Communications in college at the University of South Carolina.
When I first approached Mrs Wallace about joining journalism a few months into my sophomore year, I began by only writing newspaper articles for an advice segment I created called “TLC” (Thriving at Lenoir City). Now, as I reflect on my time in high school, I have some final advice I would like to leave for anyone hoping to excel at LCHS.
My first piece of advice is: success isn’t extraordinary; it’s having consistency with ordinary things. To find success, you don’t need to do extraordinary things, you just need to do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Whether it’s completing your work in class, being friendly to the people around you, or volunteering at events in the community. Don’t feel like you have to make a big step outside your comfort zone or you have to pioneer a new path everywhere you go. Just show up. Just be a kind person. Just do what needs to be done. You don’t have to run yourself in circles chasing after greatness, great things will find you.
Second, you have to start acting like the person you want to become. You have to take the steps today to make the changes you want to make to your life. Wallace Wattles wrote in The Science of Being Great, “Do not merely think that you are going to become great; think that you are great now.” If you ever find yourself feeling self conscious, remember that there’s nothing stopping you from becoming the best version of yourself. If you want to be more outgoing or more productive or more consistent or anything really, start making choices today that will lead you to becoming that person. When making decisions each day, ask yourself “What would a more outgoing person do?” or “What would a more productive person do?”. If you consistently make your decisions based on the person you want to become, you will eventually realize it is now the person you are.
Third, it’s all going to be okay. As someone who is now ending high school, I can say this advice without any doubt, it will all be okay. That world-shattering bad test grade, that opportunity you didn’t get to pursue, that drama with your boyfriend or best friends or whatever- it will all be okay. Take a deep breath and don’t let the bad cast a shadow on all the good. There will be times that you want to quit and times you want to give up. Keep pushing, keep growing, and keep showing up for the things that matter to you. You will find a way out of it, and if you can’t find it yourself- ask someone for help. There’s a lot of strength in knowing when something is too heavy to carry alone.
While I am sad to say this is my last newspaper article at Lenoir City High School, I hope this advice finds you well. As you continue throughout your high school career, remember that it’s never too late to decide you want to start leading a more faithful and joyful life. Wishing you all the best, in everything you do,
Aubree Jones
