Page 12 - 2016 Columbian

Four years ago I walked into Columbia High School as a typical freshman, ready to take on the world. I thought that
after one semester in Spanish 1 I would be fluent, and that the more friends I had, the better my life would be. I did
whatever I could to make everybody else happy because 1n my eyes, I was defined by my friends, and the amount of
honors courses I took. However, I have to say, that after four years of ups and downs, friends lost and gained, and
countless t1mes writing an essay at four o'clock in the morning because procrastmation is the key to success, I have found
that 1t's not about what you do or how many people you know, but who you are. Th1s year's yearbook IS focused on the
many aspects of high school that make us mto who we are and who we will be. From the football player who didn't make
the team until his senior year but his relentless hard work made him a starter, to the freshman who is so academically
advanced that he's tak1ng college level eng1neering courses, we wanted to show students that 1t is okay to let high school
change you, as long as 1t's for the better, and that you may change again, and it doesn't matter who you are or how long 1t
takes, CHS will forever be a part of who you are.

Now on a more personal note, I would l1ke to thank T abatha McMahon for constantly pushing me to do my best
then turning around and making me redo something because she knew I could do better. I would like to thank Hannah
Hetnck for being my office-mate and listening to all of my bizarre rants. Most importantly I would like
to thank Braxton T rever row and my moms. To my moms, thank you for stand1ng by my side even
when I was wrong and for always being my number one fans. To Braxton, my dear best friend, I
truly believe you're 1nsane but I wouldn't trade you for the world. Thank you for putt1ng up with
me over the past four years.

These are just a few of the people that have helped shape me into the person that I am
today, along with my time here at Columbia spent in the yearbook room and on the Friday
N1ght S1delines. So to the sen1ors, embrace your experiences here at this school and use it
to better you as a person; and to the underclassmen, don't be afraid to try new things
and remember who you are isn't always who you will be. Just stay true to yourself and
everything will work out for the better.

-Willow .Russell, Editor-In-Chief