It’s been a blessing and a joy to be your columnist this year, sharing my joys and points of gratitude in “Stopping to Smell the Roses.” What inspired me to start this column was, if I’m honest, a place of struggle that I felt stuck in during my junior year. I longed for more joy in my life in a time when I felt that I was always in a deficit. Then, I came across a beautiful quote by my childhood idol, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, who said, “Some of the greatest poetry is revealing to the reader the beauty in something that was so simple you had taken it for granted.” I knew in my mind that my life was beautiful, that I had so much to be proud of, so much to love. But, my heart couldn’t always share that sentiment, and oftentimes, my vibrant life felt dull. 

However, through this year-long journey with “Stopping to Smell the Roses,” I’ve practiced finding gratitude in the small things, in the things that already exist in my life. Thus, I try to follow deGrasse Tyson’s advice and live poetically, finding appreciation in the little things. With each edition of The Nexus, I wrote another confession of adoration for my column. And with each of these columns, I added a little more color to my life. My current life isn’t perfect and my future is uncertain, but I’m proud to say that I’ve painted a senior year full of new friendships, exciting interests, a few more laughs, and a little more love. 

I’m very grateful for all the things I experienced my senior year, but I’m especially grateful for this column and my role on The Nexus. In my four years on the staff, I haven’t found a family of students more willing to better themselves, more supportive of one another, more enthusiastic and bright. I’m proud of the home I found in The Nexus and my growth under Mr. Wenger’s guidance. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor—someone to inspire me in the classroom and in my life to be better. He’s someone I trust to always care sincerely for the other Nexans and myself, and he has the biggest heart in Westview. 

And my Nexans, my incredibly bright peers, I thank you for your attentive eyes, listening ears, lyrical words, and beautiful hearts. To my fellow Editors-in-Chief and best friends, Leanne and Karis, thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be my best. I’ll always be grateful to you for being sweet, welcoming, and good people.

Thus, my time with The Nexus, this life-changing publication, is over. It’s been an honor to write for you for the past four years. Don’t forget the power of poetry and finding beauty in what’s already there. “Stopping to Smell the Roses” taught me that my life is more colorful than I could’ve previously imagined. This world is a masterpiece, and so are you.