How do I even begin to write a letter to a class so diverse, talented, impressive, brave, supportive, and kind as ours? Disclaimer: if you don't like reading, look at the bold parts :)

I remember walking through the gates of Dreyfoos on my first day of freshman year feeling TERRIFIED that I wouldn't have any classes with my three friends coming from middle school (hey Sarah, Sam, and Maya!). I was nervous that I wouldn't fit in and I wouldn't be able to make friends on my own. However, the Dreyfoos community (mainly Ms. Cespedes) was so welcoming that I immediately felt at home.

The rest of high school had its ups and downs but I have to definitely mention the one person that stayed consistent.

To Lexi: I feel like we've been friends for a life time. From Romeo and Juliet in AICE General Paper to endless graphic organizers with Jose and Noah in APUSH and the two David statues in AP Art History, I don't think I've ever laughed so much with one person in any class. Thank you for always crying with me. It's happened like 6 times so far this year. Thanks for accidentally crashing a family reunion with me. It wasn't even my own family. I'm so excited to road trip from Jacksonville to Gainesville to see you at least once a month, and I'm even more excited for you to visit me in Spain when I go abroad. The world is not ready for us, Lexi--the zoo definitely wasn't that one night. To more bonfires and beach days, love you forever.

Because Dreyoos has students from all over the county, I feel like it would be unfair to not give a shout out to my friends from other schools too.

To Jolie: Who would've thought that we'd make it this far. I'm not even talking about our friendship. I just mean in life. Like, actually being alive. I'm surprised the fumes from dying our hair green and purple before 7th grade started didn't kill us (although administration almost did). Seriously though, I'm still not sure how I got lucky enough to have you as a best friend. I also don't know how I've been able to keep you as a best friend for this long considering my questionable driving skills. Some of my favorite memories include early morning pancakes at Pete's Place in our pajamas, hosting holiday parties together, target runs, Oktoberfest, and going vegetarian together in middle school. Reading books together since 6th grade (thanks to Ms. Laura Costello) has been preparing us to grow old together, so now we have absolutely no choice. I can't wait for our kids to get married. Coincidentally, I'm writing this on our 6th friendaversary. Let's make Thursday last forever. Love you till the end.

To Connor: Even though we became friends in a bit of an unconventional way (and I knew everything about you before we even met), I'm still glad it happened. You weren't originally open to the idea of being my friend, and you even blocked my phone number at one point. I think bothering you every weekend at church for quite some time worked in my favor. Hopefully, I'll learn to appreciate when you tell me that you're not mad, just disappointed. You've been such a good friend to me the past 4 years from bullying me into going to the gym (not actually, I needed the push) to getting ice cream with me after a good interview when Ronnie wouldn't. Maybe one day you'll love me as much as you love Nick (my cat), but for now second best will do (or third if we count Lexi). ANYWAYS, learn to put on some sunscreen before you go to college, okay? I guess I might also love you.

To the three of you as a whole: From sending each other the dumbest TikToks in all three group chats to talking about our hopes and dreams for the future in my driveway at midnight on a Saturday, there's no one else in the world I'd rather do any of it with. There are not enough words in the English (or Spanish) language to express how grateful I am for the three of you and your unconditional love and support. I'm so excited to see the things you all accomplish. No matter what, I hope you know that I will ALWAYS be in your corner cheering you on, and I will ALWAYS be just a text away. Cowboy country forever, my dudes.

To the rest of my friends who have supported me through high school: You know who you are. Thank you. Endless love and well wishes to you all for the future.

To Mr. Delgado: Thank you for letting me take over the back hallway. That and the rest of your classroom were my happy place at school. Thank you. Seriously.

To Mrs. Jahn: Thank you for always listening to me. I don't know what I'm going to do in college when I can't rant to you. Maybe just keep checking your email :)

To the rest of the Vigitals from Building 9: I don't know what else to say other than thank you for putting up with me for the past 4 years. I promise it was all in preparation for when I run for president one day. You'll always have a home with me at the White House :)

If you're still reading this, just remember one thing. Even though the end of our senior year was taken away from us, this is all part of our story. Writing this letter has been a bittersweet reflection of my time at Dreyfoos, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can't wait to see what you'll all do because I know it'll be great <3

With love,

Sophia

Before anything, I just want to congratulate you on all the hard work that has brought you to your senior year...I am SO proud of you!

I'd also like to give you a bit of an introduction of who I am. I love school, I love to pretend I'm not putting too much on my plate, and of course I hate to ask for help when I'm struggling. I'm also the worst at following through and confirming things (this is an important life skill).

Don't be like me. It's not fun.

Anyways, I hope you take this year to enjoy yourself the same way I finally figured how to do.

Here's how I did it:

• I stopped deleting communication between my teachers and me, and worked on following through with my commitments.

• I finished my college applications in OCTOBER. This is THE MOST IMPORTANT part! If you can, ask for your recommendation letters BEFORE summer.

• I talked to my guidance counselor! Mr. Carson is awesome! Whether you actually need his help or just want to talk, he's there! I know this from firsthand experience.

• I didn't take too many hard classes. Of course I challenged myself, but it's not worth it to pile on the AP classes. Junior year is stressful enough, give yourself a break! This is also an easy way to combat senioritis.

• I also stopped comparing my art to that of my classmates! Art is the way it is for a reason! You are all individual artists, so your art is all individual too. You are all also on your own path in your artistic journey, your paths may cross each other's now because you're doing the same assignments, but it is still your own journey to embark on.

Whether you're like me or not, some of the things on that list will definitely help you. Just remember not to take any part of the year or time with your friends for granted. It could be ripped away from you, too. I wished all year to just be able to go to college (mostly out of excitement), but now all I want is to go back.

Some of you are the reason why I'd like to go back.

To Ainhoa, Sydney, Addison, Milan, David, Zak, Jaelyn, and Tea: I couldn't NOT mention you all. Please, never stop shining as bright as I already know you do. You are some of the most wonderful people I've ever met, and I hope you see in yourselves what I see in you. I promise this is not a "goodbye," just a "see you soon." Don't be strangers.

To Gabi, Kadmiel, Savonya, Colin, John (A and B), Okaisha, and Raechel: Hey! You're almost there, too! I have loved laughing all year with you guys. Thank you so much for that. I'm also so unbelievably excited to see what you all accomplish as well. Don't stop working as hard as you already do, you're closer to graduating than you think! Just don't wish it away. I did that, and here we are now.

I'm so sad to leave you all, but I'm so appreciative of you. Senior year couldn't have been the same without you all.

I hope that you can learn from my experiences to have the best senior year possible. You're almost there!

With love,

Sophia