As I look forward to attending Southern Methodist University this fall, I’m spending the last few days of school reflecting on the last four years at Prosper High School. As much as I don’t want to admit it, saying goodbye will be bittersweet even though I’m ready to move on to the next chapter of my life.
Eagle Nation Online
Walking into the summer boot camp the summer before my freshman year, I was more than terrified. I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared since the day I walked in, and I froze in front of the seniors my freshman year as they asked if I was here for the Eagle Nation Online boot camp. Fast forward to the fall of my freshman year, I quickly fell in love with the newspaper, and it became my home away from home. I didn’t know what to expect as I went through my first year of newspaper, but I quickly became close with my teammates and my newspaper adviser. During my sophomore year, I got to serve as the feature editor, and I always gave 110% of my effort because I didn’t want to let my teammates or adviser down. That same year I also discovered how much I actually loved photography. I covered as many events as I could, and photography became one of my greatest passions. I somehow became a soccer manager and photographer that year, too – which I enjoyed a lot. I was thankful to have coach Brian Thompson as a mentor who trusted me with my work. Fast forwarding to my junior year, my love for newspaper only grew, and I built a great relationship with my adviser and my teammates. At the end of my junior year, one of my friends asked if I could take her senior photos, and I agreed I would try to do my best because I had never done a portrait session before. I was really proud of how her pictures turned out, and once I shared them on my photography page on social media, it quickly caught many of my peers’ eyes. It almost feels like it was a domino effect because I never expected people would actually hire me to take their photos. That same year I finally bought the camera I wanted that I was saving up for, and it quickly paid off as I started all of my senior sessions. I was personally surprised that people actually wanted me to take their photos, but it made me so happy because it’s one of my favorite things to do. This year – senior year has been a whirlwind. I’ve continued to grow my photography business on the side, but my love for the newspaper continued. I got to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, which has been such a dream. I’m so grateful to have been part of ENO for four years, and the support I’ve gotten from our adviser, Lisa Roskens, and my teammates. Since my freshman year, Mrs. Roskens has been someone I could go to and talk to without feeling scared. If you know me, I was scared of almost all of my teachers or none of them really knew me at all, but Mrs. Roskens makes sure she knows her students, and she has been such a blessing in my life. I can’t thank her enough for everything the last four years, and I will miss her and Eagle Nation Online so much.
Family & friends
I’m so grateful to have had the support of my family and friends for the last four years. They supported me throughout all the long weekends of my dance studio competitions, the days where I had to double team and compete for two teams, or the days when I needed a ride to cover the soccer game back when I was a sophomore. This year I got to be with my sister – Michelle Ayala on the newspaper staff. It’s funny having a sibling that’s three years younger than you in your class. I thought our sibling dynamic would be different in the classroom than outside of school, but it has been exactly the same. I’m so glad we got to be in a class together because I don’t think it will ever happen again now that I will be going off to college. My sister and I joke around a lot that we aren’t going to miss each other or we joke that we don’t like each other. Sometimes people on the outside don’t get it and think we actually don’t get along, but I will miss her so much. She’s my little best friend.
Looking forward, final words
I’m excited for the next chapter of my life at SMU. I grew up going to the games there and attending a variety of events because my dad attended SMU, as well. I told myself that I didn’t want to go there because my parents wanted me to go there, but I fell in love with the school. It’s so perfect. From the community, to the academics, I couldn’t image being anywhere else. Now, as I wrap up my column, I just want to say to not be scared to try new things. It’s easy to get caught up in being scared of what others will think of you, but in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter what other people think of you, or if they judge you for trying something new. One of my regrets was being scared to try new things in other organizations from the beginning instead of waiting to find the “right time.” There is never a right time, and I wish I didn’t do that, but I’m grateful for what I accomplished these last four years, and I’m ready to close this chapter of my life. However, I will always keep the people and the memories who made these four years what they were in my heart. Thank you for everything and I’ll see you on the Hilltop next year!
Signing off for the last time,
Sofia Ayala, Editor-in-Chief
