Senior Column

Senior Column

Born to shock: The changes in my life

Well it is finally here. The end of my senior year. That means in couple of weeks I will be an ex-Colt and as I reflect on the last four year of high school all I can say is "WOW!" The past four years have been a journey for me that I will never forget. It all began when I left Bosnia and came to United States in 1995. When I first saw AHS I thought to my self "This is where I am going to graduate from" and sure enough at the end of this week I will be doing just that. During the past four years I have gone through so many things that changed my life permanently.

Changing my lifestyle during the second semester of my junior year was extremely hard for me but thanks to some people on newspaper staff I have survived. Another event that happened during the second semester was Ms. Davis' passing which was extremely difficult for all of the newspaper and yearbook staff because we felt part of us was gone. She was not there to make us smile and to meet the last two deadlines of the newspaper with us.

When I remember what Mrs. Galvan and I went through this year to get a UIL waiver so I could compete in UIL, I was realized that a lot of people in this school went above and beyond for me and I just want to thank every single one of you (you know who you are). Someone told me this year that I was born to shock people and I guess when I went to the prom with another guy that was pretty shocking. But it is my life and if someone has a problem with my lifestyle, then they should just deal with it and not expect me to change for them.

Now I would like to thank some people that have influenced my life one way or another.

Ms. Davis ~ You have always believed in me and encouraged me to do my best. I will always treasure everything that you taught me and said to me and I owe you big time for believing in me and being there for me when I needed someone to talk to.

To my teachers (past and present) ~ I want to thank each and every one of you for teaching me so well. You have taught me more than you can imagine. An ancient Chinese proverb said long time ago "One day you are my teacher, the whole life you are my teacher too". Thank you and I will miss you all.

Debbie ~ I don't even know where to begin to thank you. You have been there for me through so many things that have happened in my life. You were the one that cried with me when I cried and laughed with me when I laughed. You have changed so many things in my life to greater and better things and for that I will always treasure you as a friend and adopted mother. Thank you...

Adam Schiffman ~ You were the first one that I told about my lifestyle, and you did not reject me or judge me. When I was afraid you told me not to worry, and the rest of the staff will be ok with me, and you were right. When we talked last time you told me to be whom I am and not to care what everyone else thinks of me and I have listened to you. Thank you for becoming a friend that I will always treasure and I can always turn to.

Ms. West ~ Hey there. I told you that you would be in my senior column. Well here it is and I just want to thank you for everything that you have done for me. Taking care of my attendance and talking to me when I was going through some of the most difficult times in my life. You have been a great encouragement to me and I will miss you a lot.

JimBob ~ When I first met you I thought you were this little pain but you turned out to be one of the best people I met on newspaper staff. I want to thank you for being the only person on the staff that was truly nice to me, and by the way, I think you are going to be a great editor next year. You did an awesome job on the last issue of the newspaper.

Ivy ~ We met and in few months we became very close friends. Remember when we thought that you locked your keys in your trunk. That was a lot of fun. But anyway, thank you for being one of my closest friends and for everything you did for me because it did mean a lot to me. I hope we stay friends forever. Take care and I will miss you.

Corbin ~ Hey there buddy. I met you this year and you already became on of my closest friends that I will always treasure. I know that you enjoyed all the scandalous stories that I told you and I will miss talking to you during the newspaper period. But we can still talk on the phone or online. I hope that we can stay friends forever and I know that you will be an awesome entertainment editor next year. I wish you all the best. Thanks for everything....really.

Mrs. Sowden ~ Well it is finally here. My graduation and end of my senior year and you know what that means. I can call you Diana now...Listen thanks a lot for everything that you have done and you have taught me lot. Thanks for believing in me.

Mrs. Clarke ~ As I already told Diana it is graduation time and just want to thank you for listening to me and giving me a great advice that I will always use in my life. Thanks for everything and I will miss you.

Darlene Zschech ~ You wrote a song that I believe that is true. Your song "All Things are Possible" has changed my life forever and thank you for it. I will always be at Hillsong tours and until the next time, God bless you.

Tonya ~ Hey buddy...We met at work and in a month we became best friends. Thanks for everything you did for me in my life and for being my best friend. You have given me more confidence to be whom I am than anyone else. Thanks for putting up with me last couple of months. We are going to be friends forever and just remember that in even most difficult times you will always have me here. I love you sweetie and thanks for everything.

Mrs. Pool ~ You have known me since the ninth grade and you helped me through so much of my life and I just want to thank you for it. I will always remember you and thanks for saving my life. I will miss you a lot.

Mrs. Bjorklund ~ I just met you this year and we became "Backstreet Boys buddies". I heard that their new album is coming out in early October. We have to get it. Listen we have to stay in touch because of the future concerts. Thank you for listening and being there for me all this year. I appreciate it. I will miss you.

Mrs. Winkcompleck ~ Thanks for everything that you have taught me this year. You have taught me so many things in English including how to write well written paper. Thanks for everything....really.

Rich ~ We met in the strangest way and who would ever think we would become such close friends in six months. I know that you and I will stay friends for a very long time. Thanks for everything you have done for me in last several months, including being a part of my birthday surprise. I will never forget that cake. Thanks for everything and remember that I am always here for you no matter what. See you soon.

Brandon ~ Hey there! I would have never thought that you and me would become such good friends after the way we met. You have been a great encouragement to me and you gave me good advice that I will always treasure. Thanks for being there for me and being one of my closest friends. I will never forget you.

Bryan ~ Hey buddy...I told you that I am planning to put something about you in my senior column so here it is. You have given me some great advice and I thank you for it and I am doing some things to change my life that way. Thanks for everything and I hope we can stay friends forever. See you soon.

For all the other people that I have not mentioned because I am on deadline here I want to thank each and every one of you for affecting my life in so many ways and I will always treasure you as my friends. And for the rest of the class of 2000 I want to say this: Be who you are and don't be afraid, just do your best not matter what, because after all, "All Things are Possible". Take care and I will miss you.

This column was published in issue of my high school's newspaper The Colt on May 22, 2000. If you would like a copy of this issue of the newspaper you can call Colt Publications at (817) 860-5572.