A 13 Year Journey Comes to an End

Thirteen years ago, a very small and shy four-year-old girl walked through the doors of Jefferson Academy, quiet but ready to learn as much as possible.

I’ve been at JA for longer than I can remember. When my mom picked me up after my first day of Kindergarten, I was disappointed that they hadn’t taught me how to read yet. While it’s a story for a good laugh now, it really says a lot about my love of learning I’ve had my entire life.

Learning has always been my passion. Most of elementary school was spent with one or two friends watching nature documentaries and focusing on homework. Looking back, I could’ve spent a lot more time allowing myself to be a kid. I was always so determined to finish whatever task was laid out in front of me, but sometimes it’s important to look around and appreciate what’s there.

I spent such a long time in school trying to figure out what subject I was best at and which one I should pursue in college, and it was quite difficult. I’m very well-rounded, but art, writing, and the sciences found their way into my head. That’s what I’ve spent the last few years focusing on: AP Art, Newspaper, and Biology.
My art journey began around my sophomore year, but I’ve fallen in love quickly. If you can’t find me, I’m likely in some corner of the art room scrambling to finish my portfolio before the deadline. Despite the approaching final, though, I’ve always found peace in creating.

I have also found my voice on the softball field here at JA. I started playing at just 14 years old, but I quickly became confident and rose to a leadership position on the team. While the program is still just getting started, I’m proud to have been a part of its foundation.

Through the JagWire, I’ve found a home for my creativity and voice expression. I wasn’t expecting to make it this far in the class, but I blinked and suddenly I was the editor-in-chief. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better path. I love getting to help all the younger staff learn how to cultivate their ideas and turn them into really impactful articles. Some of them may be silly and others basic news-covering stories, but there is value in reporting.

As my journey at Jefferson Academy comes to a close, I look east towards the green slopes of Vermont. I plan to study neuroscience and psychology on a pre-med track, and I hope to play softball for the University of Vermont. Even though I’m not continuing journalism as a career path, it has served as a key point in my development from half-formed teenager into an aspiring young adult with high hopes for the future. Thank you, JA.