Madelyne Jacks: Staff Writer and Photographer–Well, CG that time has come, I’m leaving the place I never thought I would. Walking into the Hall of Excellence, the Taylor Swift song “Fifteen” weighed on my mind. As a freshman, I thought I would never escape. Now, I can’t believe that those four years are over. I honestly can’t believe how many amazing experiences I’ve had. From Riley Dance Marathons to winning the softball state championship, it’s been a good time. The great poet Dr. Seuss once said, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Let’s go Class of 2016!

Blake Williamson: Staff Writer, Video Writer–Never let anybody tell you that you can’t do something, love everybody and have a peaceful soul.

Annie Hering: Staff Writer– Winnie the Pooh once said, “how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Although I am ecstatic for this next part of my life to begin, I will have some difficult goodbyes first. I have met so many people during high school that made a huge impact on my life. My freshman and sophomore years, I was surrounded by a group of people that became my family during the years I was in marching band. Mr. Schuessler provided that opportunity for me. I learned so much from marching band, and I will take those lessons with me beyond high school. Schuessler taught me discipline, self-respect, how to work well with other people, how to be a small part of something much greater than myself, and how to love what I do. Due to increasing health issues and a change of heart (pun intended), I decided that my time in marching band had come to a close. Without marching band I had to find something else to do. I would have been so lost my junior and senior year if it had not been for Best Buddies. My best buddy, Zach, from my junior year became one of my greatest friends; his family became like my family. He taught me how to appreciate all the little things that make this life so great. He taught me to laugh on the bad days, appreciate my family, and enjoy every song. “Every song has a coda, a final movement. Whether it fades out or crashes away, every song ends. Is that any reason not to enjoy the music?” (One Tree Hill) After Zach moved, I felt lost again. But Mrs. May allowed me to become a peer tutor and help in the special education classroom Zach used to be in. In that classroom I am reminded daily of how blessed I am, and I always look forward to peer tutoring. During all these changes I have had a wonderful support system. My sophomore year math teacher, Mrs. Bedan, taught me how to love the life I live and how to laugh even during hard times. Although she was 163 miles away this year, my sister helped keep me grounded and showed me how to see things from a different perspective. My younger brother and best friend, Adam, has always offered me a shoulder to lean on and been someone to talk to. My best friend of 9 years, Elena Ponder, has stuck with me through all my changes. My two best friends who are now in college, Rutger and Chelsea, have always been just a phone call away. My friends have been there to laugh with me and at me, to cry with, to vent to, and to simply enjoy life with. Without these people, high school would have been unbearable. My parents, though, are my greatest support system. They have made me who I am today, and I cannot express how grateful I am for all they have done for me because when you think life can’t get worse, it does; it throws you for a loop. And when it does you need people to be there for you. My parents were always there, especially this past year. After years of constantly being sick, my health issues were finally answered. Although it was wonderful to finally have the answers, it was not so wonderful that the issue lay in my heart. My parents took me to get the best care possible even though it was far away. We made trips to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and my sister met us there. After years of constantly being sick, I had a successful surgery and am now cured of the rare heart disease, Wolff-Parkinsom-White Syndrome. Without my parents and doctors, I never would have gotten the care I needed. Without that care, I would not be able to explore the career I hope to have as a nurse in the Air Force. My parents have been supportive, but they also knew how to set me free, how to help me learn to be independent. They gave me the opportunity to travel, whether it was with or without them. They provided life-changing travel experiences for me. When you travel, you are stepping away from all your problems and realizing that the world is so much bigger than yourself. Traveling has helped me discover who I want to be and what I want to do with my life, which is to have a positive impact on the lives of others. Although I love traveling, it is not something I can do on a daily basis. However, I can write and take pictures. Mrs. Tedrow helped me explore my passion for writing in a new light: journalism. Photography and writing are the two ways I can best express myself. Tedrow helped me grow as a writer and as a person. During my senior year, Ms. Warner and Mrs. Tedrow both showed me another way to use my strengths: publications. In publications I have learned how to write for a website, yearbook, and news magazine. I have learned how to be an anchor for the CGTV announcements, and I have learned how to make videos for those announcements. I hope to be able to take a class like that in college to keep those parts of me alive. Next year I will go to Northern Kentucky University to study nursing and do Air Force ROTC at the University of Cincinnati. I want to take my compassion and share it with the world; I want to save people. If you have crossed my path during high school, thank you. Thank you for being a part of my life, even if it was just for a short while. High school flies by, so enjoy being young and having your parents to rely on. Appreciate your friends, teachers, and the life that was given to you.

Rayce Patterson: CGTV Editor–As I look back on my high school career, it’s bittersweet. This chapter of my life is drawing to a close, and while I know that a life of countless opportunities awaits me, I’m still holding on to the memories and friends I have made here. But this is my last song, and I want to go out on a high note. A wise woman once told me, “don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt,” and as I look around at the people I’ve spent time with over the past four years or seven years or even longer, I can say that my absence will be felt in their lives as much as their absences will be felt in mine. There are so many people that have made an impact on my life: students, teachers, underclassmen, alumni, people inside Center Grove and outside. I have learned many lessons from them, and before I go, I want to honor those people by sharing some advice with you. As with most things, high school is what you make of it. If you put nothing in to it, you will get nothing out of it. And I mean more than just school work, I’m talking about your relationships with others too. High school is about building relationships with other people. So get involved! There are so many opportunities to connect with people who share your interests. I met some of my best friends through the drama club at CGMSN. My only warning is to spend your time wisely, and on something you enjoy. You will never get that time back. But don’t be afraid of taking a risk and failing. As Ms. Frizzle says, “Take chances. Make mistakes. Get messy.” Enjoy the moment; don’t worry too much on the future. Make memories and make friends. You only get four years, so make them great.

Keylee Williams: Staff Writer–I came into high school with the same feelings as when you first learn to ride a two-wheeled bike: excited, terrified, and totally ready to be cool. But then, crash. Let’s be honest, the crash never stopped you from getting back up and trying again. Without the support of my family and friends (and a few teachers along the way), I wouldn’t have had the courage to get back on up on the (metaphorical) bike and try again. I’m beyond lucky to have been granted the best support system that anyone could ask for. Thank you to those people in my life who have always believed in me, it means more than you could think possible.

Ryan Stemle: Staff Writer–I would like to thank all of my family, friends, and teachers who have led me through my journey at Center Grove High School. A special thanks goes to all of the trainers, coaches, and my doubles partner The Thixton who helped me recover from my car accident and still reach the state doubles finals. I can’t wait to experience what is next, but I will never forget my experiences as a student and an athlete here. Some advice I would give to all high schoolers is to never date someone in your STaR class, and to always wear your seat belt.

Hayley Griffith: Managing Editor–High school is more than just a learning tool, it is a place where we grow and develop as people. We learn to be compassionate, develop our common sense, and over all start finding out who we are. Over the last four years I have been blessed with amazing teachers, strong friendships, and an opportunity to expand my knowledge. I have also had the amazing opportunity to be on the Publications staff all four years. Many late nights working on the yearbook, days of carrying heavy news magazine boxes, and a lot of laughs are only a few experiences that have come of being in publications. Growing closer to my staff and advisors is a blessing that I am unable to describe. Through being on the staff I have competed in the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Boston, Washington DC, and Orlando and am a proud holder of a National mention for yearbook writing, while also having been both a copy editor and managing editor. Being in publications and Early College has only been a positive experience that I wish every student could experience. I could not have made it through these four years without my wonderful parents, sister, teachers, and friends. If I only had one thing to say to underclassman it would be to enjoy these years and to grow as much as you can in every way possible. It has been fun CG.

Mackenzie England: Student Coverage Editor–High School goes by a lot faster than you think, especially senior year so get involved and make everyday count.

Ashlynn Hart: Photo Editor–Longing for this day to come, the day I finally am free from the seemingly tyrannical rule and horrific people within Center Grove High School, I am filled with another great longing….for more time. If you are a freshman, or sophomore, hell even a junior, you either cannot wait to leave high school behind or you never want to leave. Regardless, your time will come. High school will end and your life will go on. My suggestion, however, is to just enjoy the time. Embrace your soon to be extinct childhood, befriend your teachers (they’re a lot cooler than what you might think), and figure out who you are, as you will cultivate through many different phases/personalities. Throughout my four years, I have had the life changing opportunity to be apart of the Early College family and the relationships I have grown with my teachers within that community is what I will miss the most. I want to thank all of those who have helped shape me into who I am today: Mr. Howe, Mrs. Fowler, Ms. Sheely, Ms. Hensley, Mr. Buckmaster and Ms. Warner. I hold my head high with great hope and excitement as I close this chapter in my life, and I would not have been able to do it without you guys. Always remember, life’s short, so stunt it! Later haters…

Lauren Rau: Yearbook Editor–I can’t believe how quickly my four years here at Center Grove have gone by. Reflecting back I have learned so much about myself during high school, whether that was in basketball, the classroom, through my friends or meeting the ever-so-wonderful yearbook deadlines. The best advice I could give is to always be yourself and surround yourself with friends that day-in and day-out encourage you to be the best version of you. High school is hard and as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” As my time here at CG comes to a close, I would like to think Mrs. Tedrow, Ms. Hensley and Ms. Warner. Thank you for all the time you have invested in me as a student and as a person, I am so thankful to have met you. As I start the next chapter of my life I will always be grateful for my time here at CG, it has shaped me into the person I am today but I am so ready to see what the future holds! It’s been real CG!

Karly Wright: Copy Editor–It’s unbelievable to think that my time here at Center Grove is coming to an end. This place has provided me with wonderful memories and friendships that I will cherish for a long time. As much as I am thrilled to be graduating, it’s also bittersweet considering I will be leaving the one constant in my life for the past four years. My advice to the underclassmen: get involved, work hard, and don’t wish away your time here; graduation will be here sooner than you think. Being a part of the Publications staff has allowed me to expand my writing ability and to meet others in this school who either 1) share a passion for writing and who are on staff alongside me or 2) have an interesting story to tell. I would not have had this experience if my brother, Keaton, never encouraged me to join Pubs in the first place. I would like to thank Warner and Tedrow for believing in my writing and running this class. I would also like to thank my cross country teammates for all the laughs and good memories and for some of them turning into lifelong friends. Thank you to Dodson for pushing me to be my best in running and in the classroom. Lastly, thank you to my friends. We have had amazing memories, and I cannot wait for the ones to come.

William Boston: Staff Cool Guy–I would like to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ. If I have any advice for Publications class it would be work hard and don’t procrastinate or wear Cargos.

Bryce Brown: Writer, Film Creator–I play basketball, and I’m going to DePauw next year for college.

Chloe Tyson: Editor in Chief–This is it, I’m going to be an adult soon it’s both thrilling and terrifying. It’s hard to believe that I’m going to be graduating soon and moving on to college. Attending CGHS has been an amazing experience for me. I moved here from Virginia the summer of my sophomore year. I have met some amazing people who have become my friends. I didn’t actually join publications till my junior year as I had been in a performing arts high school and was intending to follow that career path. But through a twist of fate I changed career choices. I have absolutely loved being on staff for the past two years, in fact it has been the highlight of my time in high school. I have loved being on staff and writing articles for the News Magazine and Website. Being in Publications and taking Tedrow’s journalism class has been a real eye opener and has made me realise what I’m going to do. I have had two amazing life changing experiences through going on the JEA National Convention trip to Washington D.C and then to Florida the following year where I received an honourable mention in yearbook copy/captions for the JEA national write-off competition. I am so grateful to Tedrow and Warner for presenting me with theses amazing opportunities and experiences. I was so proud and excited to be offered the Editor in chief position of the News Mag after being on staff a year. My goal as editor was to include stories that were relevant to the CGHS students which meant including articles which may have been seen as controversial. My advice to the underclassmen is, take your studies and grades more seriously, It really does count and will help better yourself and increase your potential. It’s hard to raise a GPA if you slack off the first two years. As a great Jedi master once said “Do or do not. There is no try.” So make the most of your time in high school and DO your best.