I’m Amory Moore. I love Taylor Swift, going on iced Chai runs, pondering how I’m still here, and the occasional obsession with a fictional character; I just hope that your life turns out to be everything you want it to be.

I should say that high school wasn’t as horrible as I thought it would be. However, it’s also nowhere near the High School Musical stereotype of breaking into song in the lunchroom, dancing on top of tables, or hanging by the lockers during a seemingly 30 minute passing period. But, overall, it wasn’t as bad as middle school.

The moment I found out that LHHS had a newspaper, it had been my number one priority. It’s always been my dream to write for a high school newspaper, even if it didn’t crack up to be a little room filled with the smell of ink and the sound of typewriters clicking to finish the next issue. (Gilmore Girls raised my expectations.)

What’s also true about high school, and senior year in particular, is that senioritis is a very real thing and it will kick your butt slowly to the finish line. As I’m writing this, there are three weeks left of school before I graduate and head off to Columbia, MO in August to study Psychology; and I’ve lost nearly all motivation.

I do wish that I could tell future high school students that it will be the best four years of their lives; but, unfortunately, I don’t see it that way. The beginning of my sophomore year piled on loads of stress and anxiety (which led to depression) that I’d never experienced, not even when I had been diagnosed. For some reason, AP World History decided to hit me a lot harder than AP Human Geography had. For the record, Ms. Bishkin was the only reason I wanted to stay in that class.

So, after I talked to my mom and therapist, we created a plan that would limit the workload and stress that I would be tackling. My biggest result from the whole of sophomore year was to take breaks when I needed them. I’m now a genuine advocate for mental health days, which can just be days where someone needs a break for their mental and/or physical health. While in college, I’m sure it will be harder to gauge when I need a break or not, but it’s important to recognize when we aren’t at our best.

So, if you take anything away from this, it’s to live every second to the fullest. While high school felt long at some times, it also feels like it just started yesterday. It’s also okay to not be okay. It’s okay to take breaks when you need them; life will still be there when you get back. Reach out to new people and make friends; you can never have too many amazing people in your life. Even if living sometimes feels like a dread, I promise that it’s only temporary.

Thank you to Mrs. Grinnell and Mrs. Macias for nourishing and encouraging me to be better. I owe incredible thanks to Mary, Ava, Millie, and Elizabeth for giving me the confidence to be editor-in-chief like I always wanted. To everyone currently on The Fang, I know y’all will carry on its reputation when I’m gone. I wish you all the best.

To everyone, I hope you all find everything you’ve ever wanted. You can face this.
Je promets que tout ira bien.