The first word that comes to mind when I try to sum up Blue Valley is home.

A home is where you feel safe, a space where you can live genuinely — that’s what this school has been for me.

It’s nearly impossible to do BV justice through writing because of the wonderful people and experiences that are found within these walls, so I decided my space is best spent sharing lessons I’ve learned and expressing my gratitude for the rooms inside BV that have made it feel like home.

The choir room: Freshman year, I recall not knowing what would be my “thing” in high school. I found that sense of belonging I’d been searching for in this room, among the most talented people I know.

The football field: Students of all different groups and backgrounds come together to celebrate the tiger spirit under the Friday Night Lights — if you’ve been to a BV football game, you know it’s something special.

Room 450: I spent senior year pushing myself as a writer for the newspaper and realized how passionate I am about sharing the stories of others. It was here I discovered what I may want to spend my life doing.

Mobile 6: In this mobile, Ms. Volz encouraged her students to treasure other people and to take time to hear what they have to say. Even those who seem to have it all together have obstacles to overcome.

The PAC: Here, through abandoning comfort by singing solo or embarrassing myself at dance auditions, this space spent the last four years forcing me to be confident.

Room 510: Thanks to Mrs. Sullivan, this is where I was reminded that no matter what is going on in life, being kind to one another is ultimately the most important thing you can do.

The main gym: This is the one place in the school that has the power to make every individual unite as a Tiger Family, thanks to the care and passion of Mr. Bacon.

Room 608: This is where Mr. Mowry taught me that to be content in life one must seek discomfort. That is how the greatest adventures happen.

What makes theses places special are the remarkable people I’ve come to know through them. Thank you all for being a part of that, and I hope Lawrence will bring me the same sense of home that I have felt here.