There comes a time when we’ve all gotten to say our goodbyes. We have to stand up, walk out, move on. You don’t necessarily have to forget about everything that happened, but you have to finish up your time here and move to the next stage of your life.

For some, that’s college. For others, it’s work, or the military, or whatever the future holds for them. For me, it’s Tennessee Tech and a potential major in secondary education. It’s whatever God’s got in store for me in the next year. It’s new experiences and being away from home. It’s new friends and a chance to start again.

However, I couldn’t move to the next chapter without turning this page. I can’t leave without saying my goodbyes here, and without thanking those who need to be thanked. There’s a huge number of people I need to love on and give my appreciation, but I couldn’t begin to name every single person.

Firstly, thank you to the school as a whole. Thank you for every lesson you’ve taught me. Thank you for every heartbreak, every passion, every emotion. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for it all.

Thank you to my fantastic teachers. You’ve taught me more than just how to do calculus, or how to attempt a chemistry problem. You’ve shown me I can do anything I put my mind to. You have helped form the Haley Vandergriff who is writing this letter.

I couldn’t conclude this letter without a shoutout to my second family. Thank you to the band kids who pushed me harder than I’ve ever been pushed in my life. Thank you to the ones who were there for me in my darkest times. Thank you to the group that is about so much more than just music. I can’t begin to describe what you mean to me and what you have done for me.

Thank you to everyone, for everything, good and bad. It’s made me who I am and shown me that I’m not so bad after all.

Once again, thank you.

I love all of you.

Haley Vandergriff