Brooklyn Millard is driving away the competition 

On a scenic and silent golf course there is a swift crack and with unparalleled precision, senior Brooklyn Millard will be driving up the ranks.  Brooklyn has attained a full-ride scholarship for golf at the University of Toledo where she will be studying criminal justice and psychology.

When asked how she felt about getting a full-ride to Toledo, she exclaimed, “ I have been playing golf for my whole life, and have always wanted to go to college for golf. From that the coach at Toledo has given me the opportunity to make my dream a reality.” As a golfer myself, I can fully recognize how impressive her achievements are and how unrivaled she stands. 

One can have all the confidence on the golf course and can stand unchallenged in tournaments, but when it comes to feelings about graduation, you can never blame one for being nervous about leaving all they’ve known behind. In Brooklyn’s case, she admits with complete honesty and sincerity about how she feels: “ I am genuinely terrified, I will be on my own for the first time in my life and even though I have been waiting for this moment I am also so scared for the future knowing that this part of my life is done.” One can appreciate the brutal honesty of that sentiment, because for a large part of the graduating class, this is the scariest thing they’ve ever gone through. 

Despite how you may feel about your time in this school, we can all admit that there are memories that will always hold a place in our hearts. When Brooklyn was asked about her favorite memories of high school, she reminisced, “ I think that my favorite memory of high school has to be this year's golf season. I made so many connections with the team and I think it will always stick with me even when I’m playing on a higher level.” The bond between teammates is beyond that of classmates or in some cases friends,  so it stands as no surprise why this golf season holds a special place for her. 

For better or worse, the teachers and staff of this school have an impact on us; they shape us in ways that we might not realize. When pressed for an answer Brooklyn responded with true sincerity, “Mrs. Taylor was my creative writing teacher and she really helped me be my best in writing. I have always loved writing but she helped me fall in love with my writing for myself. She made my sophomore year so much better and she helped me become who I am today.” There is no doubt that Mrs.Taylor has had a monumental positive impact on our class, whether you have her or not we all feel the hard work she does, so it is no surprise that Brooklyn would say she has had the most impact on her.

After four years of being in the same building, walking the same halls over and over, the seniors have learned a thing or two about how to “survive” high school. When asked what her advice for the underclassmen would be, Brooklyn answered with a sense of knowing that only a veteran on the matter would speak with: “High School is all about finding yourself, you will make friends, lose friends, mess up, and make so many accomplishments. Live in the moment, make the most of your time before you have to make actual big decisions. This is the time in your life where you can be free and have fun.” I can confidently say that is some of the best advice that I have heard; what makes it even better is that it came from one of our very own classmates. 

Then came the ever-existential-crisis-causing question, “Where do you see yourself in ten years?” As Brooklyn’s choice of major provides a hint to her future, she shared, “ ”Hopefully I will be somewhere picking at the brains of criminals for cases and investigations.” If her investigative skills are anything like her golf skills, then no case in her docket will go unsolved. 

The parting words, the chance that every senior hopes to get, a moment to reflect and give this school a piece of their mind for better or worse, “Thank you for making me the person who I am today.” Luckily for the school, this time, it was for the better, as this school has shaped the men and women that we will become, despite how much we might deny it. 

To end on a positive note, Brooklyn channels Gerard Way, a senior, songwriter, and comic book writer, for her senior quote: “Life is very, very short and you can choose to live it how you want. You can choose to dumb yourself down and not express yourself just so you can fit in, just so people won’t dislike you.”