As the year comes to a close, senioritis is in full swing for me alongside all of my peers and classmates. Simultaneously, I have been reflecting on the past four years here at Prosper High School, and 11 years living in Prosper. Heading from Rucker Elementary, Reynolds Middle School for one year, and Rogers Middle School for two, I certainly have gotten my fill of the district.

My journey into photography ignited during my sophomore year when I received an invitation to join the Football Operations Department. Leading the behind-the-scenes management of the football team, I honed my management and media production skills. Immersed in the industry, I absorbed knowledge and gradually evolved from a novice photographer to a proficient one, collaborating closely with coaches, players, and industry professionals. This journey not only polished my skills, but also nurtured my personal brand, recognized within the district and school as ‘rileymcphotos.’ 

Known as this figure for the past three years and photo ‘celeb’ at times, I was able to capture my high school memories and keep these memories alive for my peers and friends. I love that we all get to look back on these years and relive the moments through my photos. Photography has always been my love and passion, evident from the photos I took wherever I went over the years. My love for it was inevitably going to shape my future. The magic of it all lies in capturing a fleeting moment from a unique perspective and narrating a story. Even when the entire stadium witnesses a play, freezing that moment and portraying it through a still shot is both thrilling and fulfilling. Creating tangible, individual pieces of art is a profound joy that I will always hold dear. 

In addition to my personal brand, this year, after lots of convincing from friends and coaches, I joined the Lady Eagles Powerlifting team. As someone who has never played any sports, I started from scratch. I quickly learned the basics and flourished from there. Working along such strong men and women, I was shown I am capable of far more than I give myself credit for. I quickly learned the struggles of making weight while still maintaining muscle, and taking a mental toll that I knew would inevitably arise. A goal this year I set for myself was to do hard things –  and this definitely set the bar. Coaches Devin Lemons and Brian Thompson came into my life my sophomore year, and have been two of my built-in-dads prior to powerlifting season. Their passion for their job, and the love they poured into me only made the season easier. Looking at them through teary eyes when the red lights flash after a failed lift, or jumping into their arms after hitting a personal record, I knew these men always had my back and would support me through it all. 

None of my accomplishments would have been possible without my foundation that was built my sophomore year. As co-founder and head of operations of the Football Operations Department, and subsequently the Baseball Operations Department, my accomplishments have been directly linked to these programs. Frankly, I never would have ventured into Eagle Nation Online without the initial invitation, which has served as the cornerstone for all my accomplishments. Working as reporter, sports editor, and now COO, I have seen it all. All three programs have given me a family away from home, allowing me to meet some of my favorite people in the entire world, those whose friendships and mentorship will last a lifetime. Most specifically, the ‘ops’ department has taught me independence within teamwork. Working behind-the-scenes management for the teams has opened unlimited doors for me, but also slammed plenty in my face. The most important of those is the relationships with my coaches. Amidst the male-dominated sports I chose to be with every day, my bright personality quickly shined through amongst the players and coaches. Every year working with them I have gained new dads, who I know I can reach out to whenever I need, and they will drop everything to help.

Lastly, a program that wrapped up this year was the Prosper Career Independent Study. I’ve had Tiffany Ballard as a teacher for 3 years now, in the program for 2, and to say she is a ray of sunshine is an understatement. Teachers like Mrs. Ballard are the reason students, including myself, love coming to school. She cares so deeply for each and every student that walks through her door, which is shown in the success of the PCIS program. The student-driven program has forced me to endure resilience, failure, tears and laughs. I am happy to say I will be continuing the progression of the brand I created this year, keeping it as a passion project as I progress through college and my career. Without such an amazing program, I never would have grown as much as a person, learning about myself more than I ever would have expected.

Most importantly, all of these programs have given me a life that I am happy to brag about and a career that I never shut up about. If you had told the timid freshman version of myself that I would have close-death experiences on the football field every Friday as 200-pound lineman came barreling toward me, interviewed hundreds of motivated individuals, worked with the FBI and Prosper officials and met the women that I will be the aunts for my children, amongst so many other things, she would’ve laughed in your face, and then probably cried tears of joy.

My parents have raised me to be a strong independent woman, a phrase very commonly repeated in our house, and that is exactly who I am. They have supported me through everything, encouraging me to chase my dreams, no matter how wild they may be. The unwavering encouragement and support from every person and supporter in my life have been instrumental in shaping the person and creator that I’ve become. Each accomplishment displayed on paper is a testament to the collective influence and support of those around me.