When I started out at ADM in 2011 I did not know anybody, which was weird because from the moving back and forth from Texas and Iowa, I usually knew someone that went to the school before my first day. When I walked into my 5th grade homeroom at DeSoto Intermediate, I felt a little nervous on that first day. I was just sitting there and getting settled in and unpacking my materials (scissors, glue, notebook, etc). I felt a little uncomfortable that first day but I started to warm up to the school district ever since then.

Middle school was pretty fun, especially during homecoming week. We had so many fun activities to do but my all-time favorite was the dodgeball tournament. I got to show off my wicked dance moves and hit people in the face with a foam ball (I do not really think there is a better combination than that). I got to experience so many fun things in middle school, even strapping up the pads and playing football in 8th grade.

High school was what scared me the most. I knew everyone way better now but it was the classes I had to take that were the nightmare (except Communications and I am not just saying that because this is a newspaper article–it is not that bad actually). I got to know some pretty cool but weird people. Ninth grade was a pretty awesome journey, especially when I got the lead role in the fall play, the 12th man award and I got to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the last home football game of the season.

It is a shame that I have to end my journey here at ADM but this is only the beginning. I still have three more years to go but the sad part is that those years will not be here. My last years of high school instead will continue at West Des Moines Valley High School, where I’ll still be a tiger, but the red will be a little lighter.

Once a tiger, always a tiger.