The Green & Gold

Spring Semester April, 2021

Vol.1

A Student Led Newspaper

See further in Article 8

Welcome to The Green and Editor and Chief: Charlotte Mckinley Gold, a student newspaper written Contributing writers: exclusively by Viking students. Helen Bandy The journalism students created Nia Bedard the newspaper to inform, Michel Bedard entertain, and inspire readers. MIranda Cincotta While striving to become better Anna Hou writers and communicators of Austin Johnson Jasmine Milbourn their ideas. Yen Trong Alisha Mason Grace Rish 1 Mr. Knotek Speaks on Transition From Principal to Head of School

By: Nia Bedard

Vice-Principal by Dr. Powell, which the student body's education then morphed into the principal first while balancing the role, which Mr. Knotek currently student's mental and physical holds, at Saint John's Catholic health needs. With his transition Prep,. Mr. Knotek stated that "I've from Principal to Head of School, been very happy here despite Mr. Knotek has high hopes for his the challenges. I had my first role change and for the year, which is never a normal opportunity to grow the school in year, then last year started off the future. As Head of School, okay but then did not become as Mr. Knotek will have a much more normal as I had hoped, and now expansive role. He will continue into my third year, which has not to oversee the faculty and been normal at all." Despite the day-to-day operations, but he challenges faced during the will begin to oversee athletics, current Covid-19 Pandemic, Mr. enrollment, and school Knotek is committed to putting advancements. the student body's education In addition to his role change, In the broader picture, Mr. Vice Principal, Mrs. Seaman, will Knotek will be focusing on remain in her current position, working with the school and Mr. Knotek begins the search community, donors, for a Dean of Students. Mr. construction, etc., as well as the Knotek is confident in a smooth Board of Trustees and working transition; he continues to have on building connections outside biweekly meetings with Dr. Powell of the school building. However, leading up to the transition. Dr. Mr. Knotek's biggest goal for the Powell will remain involved as next year is to focus on opening construction continues within up the school to the entire the school. student body as soon as Overall, Mr. Knotek is excited possible while focusing on about the new changes that he rebuilding traditions and events will make in his new role as Head that have been disrupted during of School and is excited to see this year of Covid-19. his role at SJCP grow into a much more significant part of his life. Mr. Knotek does have lots of goals to achieve and ideas to implement once his transition is official. Some of these include fostering our Catholic and religious identity by having mass together again and growing campus ministry; developing better relationships with alumni by holding more alumni events; pushing for more competitive academics, AP courses, and creative courses for students; growing the school spirit, pride, and culture through the encouragement of the student body voicing their opinions; and increasing the involvement of student government so they can implement the student's ideas for See Further in Article 7 the student body. Advice and Tips For Your College Search, Q&A with Mrs. Anders 2 By: Helen Bandy

In your busy high school life, it is dream college and what GPA/SAT all too easy to put off thinking score you might need for it, join about college. Preparing for activities and clubs, and get college can seem like a daunting involved in your and overwhelming process. Many community/school to build your questions will arise: Where resume. The major part of the should you go? What's your first college process starts in your step? When should you even junior year. begin looking at colleges? With the help of our very own How many schools should you counselor, Mrs. Anders, we will apply to? answer some of these important questions for you. I usually recommend 6-8 colleges (1-2 safety schools, 3-4 target The College Research Process schools, and 1-2 reach schools- as suggested by forbes.com), but When should you begin the it depends on the student. If you college research process? plan on entering a competitive It would be best if you started major, competitive college, or a thinking about college as early major that is not regularly found, as your freshman year. You can you should apply to a few more. look up colleges, determine your What criteria should you use to Is visiting campuses necessary? find a college or university? It is definitely important that you What if you're not sure of your walk around and get a feel for major? the college; you want to try and picture yourself there. If time, ● Whether you know your cost, or location prohibit you major or not, I always from doing so, it is unnecessary recommend that a great unless you have been accepted way to start searching for and are trying to make a colleges is to ask yourself decision. how far away from home you and your family will be comfortable with. You can Application process search all the colleges in When should you take the your radius and begin to SAT/ACT, and how many times? narrow it down from there. I recommend taking your first ● Begin to think about your SAT whenever you finish Algebra learning preferences (do 2 or shortly after that period. The you like participating in SAT rarely goes above Algebra 2 class, having one-on-one in math skills. Make sure you take time with your professors, three before you become a or do you like less senior. participation and sitting in the back of a class with What is the difference between 200 kids), it's whatever the ACT and the SAT? works best for you. ● Location is also The ACT has a math, science, important. Do you want a and english section. Students city with a lot of who are stronger in the STEM opportunities or a more areas usually will do better on suburban/rural campus? the ACT. The ACT also goes into ● If you know your major, higher-level math (Precalculus). research schools with the The SAT does not have a science best program for you and section, and it rarely goes above narrow it down from there. Algebra 2 in math. Neither one is harder; they both test benefits for a different type of student. What's a good website to start Figure out which test might be searching for colleges? better for you so that you can There are a lot of helpful achieve the highest score resources out there, but possible. Naviance is my favorite. You can search for all colleges by your major, location, admissions requirements, school type, See Further in Article 9 athletics, and more. It is a great way to find the perfect fit for you. What advice do you have for each grade level? ● Seniors: Get it all done ● Freshmen: Log into early (the application Naviance and start process), take advantage working on your resume. of the workshops, and It is crucial to track help that Saint John’s events as they happen, so and other resources may you don't forget them by offer. I advise seniors to the time you're applying try and get as much done to colleges. Include as they can in August and whatever sports, clubs, September, so they have a activities, jobs, events, lot of time to make their etc., and how many hours final decision. you have participated in them. By the time you get to your senior year and applying to colleges, you Which extracurricular activities won't have to worry about do colleges want to see on the creating your resume. application? ● Sophomores: Visit colleges. As you're going Colleges are looking for students on vacations or driving that get involved and have stuck places (even if it is local), with their activities. You want to go through college prove to a college that you have campuses and towns to been in something consistently help you feel what type of and saw it through to the end atmosphere you like. This goal (quality rather than is an essential step in quantity). An excellent example of creating your list to have this might be Girl Scouts or Boy an idea of what you are Scouts because it is a long-term looking for. commitment. Participating in ● Juniors: Narrow down sports, clubs, having a part-time your list to about 12-15 job, or volunteer work are just schools that you are some things that will stand out really considering. Try to to colleges. Make sure you are visit as many as possible. taking leadership positions if Make sure to take a look they are offered. at what is necessary to get into the college (recommendations, SAT/ACT scores…), and by the time you get to summer, you should narrow it down to about eight. Is applying Early Decision and What do admissions officers look Early Action better than Regular for in an application essay? Decision? Admissions offices want to know Early Action is a type of about you and a moment in time admission where you receive a to tell them who you are. Rather decision well in advance of the than writing an essay about your regular response date. It gives volunteer work, for example, as a you a lot more opportunity and camp counselor, you may want to flexibility. There is more time to talk about one child that you research the college, financial impacted (what did you feel, what aid, and scholarship did you see, what was opportunities. If, for some happening). You want to really reason, you are denied from any get that reader into that exact schools at this deadline, you still moment with your essay. You can have time to add a few more also write about something that colleges to the Regular Decision impacted you: an athletic event, deadline. Also, applying Early volunteering, a part-time job. The Action lets a college know that admissions officers want to get you are organized and inside your head and focus on a interested in their school. Your moment in time, getting to know application will be on the front who you are as a person by end of the committee. If you going through all your senses. decide to apply Regular Decision, Do not write a generic and the admission committee will general essay; it needs to be have already read thousands of original. Writing is an essential essays and countless skill in college so show applications. admissions officers you can do it well. Make sure to be yourself Early Decision is something that I and pick a topic that you're rarely recommend because so passionate about. If you aren't much can change in your senior sure of what to do, brainstorm a year. Early Decision is different few ideas with your parents from Early Action because Early because they may remember a Decision plans are binding; if you situation that affected you. are accepted, you must go to that school. However, if it is your When should you start applying dream school, then Early to colleges? Decision will be advantageous because you are already telling Generally, a student should the school that you are 100% begin the application process by joining them. the start of their senior year of high school. However, some colleges have differentdeadlines, but most applications for regular fall admission will be due by January. Make sure you If you don't know your major, You will thrive for the next four should you declare a major on years. Students need to realize the application or apply that college is a huge undecided? undertaking financially, so you need to find the best college for I don't think there is a problem you. with applying undecided. However, you may have to declare a major in some schools because they will not allow you to transfer into another major. It depends on the school. Undecided is the way to go if you truly have no idea what you want to do, and it will not affect you within the application/college process.

What do you think is the most 3 important thing admission Fighting Covid: The officers look for in an application? Final Stretch? By: Jasmine Melbourn Admission officers want to know what a student is going to give back to their college. They are looking for active students (participating in sports, In early March, the one-year activities, leadership, etc.) and a anniversary of the COVID-19 well-balanced student who will shutdown occurred. As it felt like make an impact. yesterday, Saint John's students

were told that they would be If you had to give your best advice for high schoolers about doing virtual school for only two to begin this process, what weeks. But life surprises people would it be? in funny ways. It's been over a year of adapting to the new I truly believe if you want to go to "COVID schedule": leaving the college, there is a college out house with a mask, six feet there for you no matter your distance, and zoom classes. GPA, resume, etc., and it is a college that will fit you. Some Frederick has had it’s fair people get hung up on the share of COVID cases; the names and competitiveness, but numbers going up and down the fit is most important. You everyday. As businesses have need to find a place where been opening up more and more, people are starting to get for younger students is still back to their regular routine. unclear, but the vaccine is readily This is due in part to the three available for most of our Viking available vaccines. The vaccine Family. came out in January and has Though there is still stress been available for older age for the older generation, the ranges and with preexisting vaccine might soon be available conditions. Still, many are for all students, which is crucial struggling to get their first for herd immunity. These steps vaccine appointment. bring the hope for being back at Vaccine appointments are school full time and, on a organized by prioritizing groups broader scale returning to by the need of the vaccine. everyday life. Until then, it is Vaccines are available for people essential to mask up and social who are a part of groups known distance and keep our Viking as 1A, 1B, and 1C. The first group, and Frederick community safe. 1A, includes all health care workers, residents, and the staff Cited: at nursing homes, first https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/614/Novel-Coronavirus-CO VID-19 responders, public safety, and https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/dec/how-wa corrections. The second group, s-the-covid-19-vaccine-developed-so-fast/

1B, includes assisted living, adults 75 and older, educational staff, and government officials. The third and final group, 1C, includes adults 65 and older, essential workers in lab services, agriculture, postal services. Please get more information at: health.frederickcountymd.gov. The Saint John's school community has many teachers now who have been vaccinated! Teachers such as Mrs. Ballenger and Mr. Bubbers just recently received their second shot. Others are sure to follow. Ages See further in Article 5 sixteen and up have been approved for both the Maderna and Pfizer vaccines. The timeline Frederick's Best Beans: A Guide to Local Coffee 4 By: Caroline Mackin

As the school year draws closer Frederick Coffee Co. & Cafe to an end and with AP tests To start off strong (no pun around the corner, many intended), one must students find themselves in need acknowledge one of Frederick's of a quick pick-me-up, a frothy most iconic cafes, Frederick and sweet, or dark and rich cup Coffee Co. & Cafe. This coffee of coffee. Luckily for Saint John's shop, which opened in 1991, is students, the proximity to located on the corner of East Downtown Frederick and and Church Street in Downtown. Westview allows for a myriad of The atmosphere is warm and options not too far from school. welcoming and attracts many With the numerous options for patrons daily. To accommodate cafes and coffee shops, it may the influx of people, the Cafe is feel a bit overwhelming, so mask fairly large and offers plenty of up and come along with me as indoor and outdoor seating and we enter Frederick's world of a designated free parking lot coffee. behind the cafe. They offer an extensive coffee menu consisting of drips, espresso drinks, and Dublin Roasters and Coffee specialty lattes. They also have Located in the North Market many different sandwiches, Center, Dublin Roasters and salad, and soup options and a Coffee is easily the largest ship daily rotation of baked goods. on the list. Vaulted ceilings and Frederick Coffee Co. & Cafe also multiple rooms give Dublin has online ordering available on Roasters and Coffee an airy their website, allowing for low aura. There are many different contact pickup. seating options inside and outside. The coffee is Fair Trade Baltimore Coffee and Tea Co. and sourced from small farms One of the closest shops to Saint worldwide, and true to their John's Catholic Prep, Baltimore name, it is roasted in-house. Coffee and Tea is a personal and Dublin Roasters has a daily community favorite. The shop, flavor rotation for brewed coffee, which is part of a small chain espresso drinks, and lattes, it local to Maryland, is tucked just does not have a large menu, but outside the Westview Corner it features many vegan and Shopping Center. The drink vegetarian options. Dublin menu consists of a daily rotation Roasters also has a certain Irish of self-serve drip coffees, flare in their food, coffee flavors, espresso-based drinks, and tea and decor. Dublin Roasters and lattes. Baltimore Coffee and Tea Coffee has a grandma's house is notable for its massive aesthetic to it as your food and selection of whole or ground drinks are served on an array of coffee beans available in store mismatched ceramics, and the along with its wall of loose-leaf furnishings look like they have and bagged teas creating an come from many different thrift unforgettable coffee aroma. The stores. The eclectic shop has its atmosphere is cozy and inviting, own parking lot making it the and after a few visits, many of perfect pit stop. the baristas will make a point to learn your name and order. They Cafe Nola also offer a large selection of If loud music and a constantly made-to-order sandwiches, changing display of local art salads, and soups, as well as a sound up your alley, then Cafe selection of bakery items daily. Nola is the place for you. The Currently, indoor seating is shop on East Patrick Street is unavailable, but there are a few dimly lit with dark walls outdoor options. and lots of natural wood Ibiza Cafe furnishings; it embodies the west The Ibiza Cafe is located on West coast hipster java atmosphere. 4th Street in Downtown They have a drink menu of drip Frederick. It has a variety of coffees, espresso-based drinks, brewed coffees you can choose and specialty lattes. Cafe Nola is based on the beans' country of fairly well known for their vegan origin. It has a relatively simple and vegetarian options, and they menu of espresso drinks and now offer soy and oat milk food, but the cafe really substitutes in their coffee drinks. functions on the principle of The Cafe offers indoor and quality over quantity. The Ibiza outdoor seating and a menu Cafe offers bubble teas as that includes American another option for those who are breakfast, lunch, and dinner not as fond of coffee and a daily foods. Cafe Nola is a good place rotation of baked goods. The for a sit-down meal anytime of cafe offers indoor and outdoor the day or for a latte on the go. seating and is open and airy. The Ibiza Cafe really pours (another Beans and Bagels pun!) its heart into every cup. If Small but mighty, Beans and you are a fan of latte art, are Bagels is an understated gem in easily overwhelmed by Downtown Frederick. Located on complicated menus, or East Patrick Street, it is right uncomfortable with the across from the Carroll Creek traditionally small and packed Parking Garage. Their drink coffee shop, look no further. menu has many well-known drip and espresso coffees, along with Boba and Beans house specialties. They are Boba and Beans is a new locally possibly more well known for owned downtown coffee shop their array of hot and cold that opened earlier this year. sandwiches, omelets, and of Located on Market Street, the course, bagels. Currently, seating shop's exterior and interior style is not available, but if you find is black, stylistic, and modern yourself near the Civil War while managing to preserve the Museum or Venus on the Half welcoming and warm vibe Shell, Beans and Bagels is a characteristic of metropolitan good place to get your coffee or Frederick. They offer an array of snack fix. seasonal drinks and hand-made espresso-based coffees. Coffeeis not all the cafe is capable of, 'Boba' refers to the shop's these small and locally owned customizable bubble teas. Boba businesses; it exists in a barista and Beans have received knowing your name, having a attention regarding the high favorite chair, or knowing the quality of its baked goods in the best drink on the menu. Whether short time it's been open. All and you find your comfort in eclectic all, Boba and Beans' location hole-in-wall places or large and and diverse options make it ideal well-trafficked shops, I hope this to stop at for a quick cup during guide helped. Cheers. a walk along Market Street.

The Buzz Cafe In all honesty, this cafe is pretty far from Saint Johns, but as it is within Frederick County limits, about 20 minutes south of Downtown, it feels wrong not to include it. The Buzz is located in the Green Valley Shopping Center and is a super cozy little cafe. The walls are covered with art from students of all ages 5Mr. Nogay’s from Frederick County schools, Favorite Creamy and the menu is constantly changing obscure themes (think Spinach Chicken 'shark week') with the breakfast Pasta and lunch items frequently being renamed after fun puns. They BY: Mr.Nogay and have brewed coffee, espresso Charlotte Mckinley drinks, and lots of distinctive latte flavors. Their large amount of fresh baked goods is one of This might be in the group with The Buzz's best parts, and it's a classics like Maggiano's rigatoni D great breakfast stop to or from and others. Bacon, heavy cream, Mount Airy. tomatoes, and smoked paprika give it that very distinct flavor. Have I hope that a warm or cold cup of some bread handy for sopping up joe has the same effect on youas any sauce it does me. There is something quite lovely about supporting 2. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the INGREDIENTS: bacon grease back to the pan. In batches, so as not to crowd the 5 slices bacon pan, add the sliced chicken and season with salt, pepper, Italian 11 pound chicken breasts (2 seasoning, paprika, and chili each), sliced flakes. When the chicken is cooked and no longer pink, Salt and pepper, to taste remove it from the pan and set aside. Continue cooking in 2 ½ teaspoons Italian batches until all the chicken is seasoning cooked and set aside.

1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika 3. Add the spinach and tomatoes to the skillet and cook until the ½ teaspoon red chili flakes spinach is wilted. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more. 5 ounces baby spinach

4 to 5 small tomatoes, diced 4. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook until 5 cloves garlic, minced thickened, then add the Parmesan cheese. Stir until the 1 ½ cups heavy cream cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened. 2 cups Parmesan, shredded 5. Add the cooked pasta, 12 ounces penne, cooked al chicken, and bacon back into the dente skillet. Stir to evenly mix.

6. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to absorb and thicken. DIRECTIONS

7. Serve with additional 1. In a large skillet over shredded Parmesan and chili medium heat, cook the bacon flakes, if desired. until crisp. Remove, drain on a paper towel, and chop. Drain The original recipe link: grease from the pan and https://tiphero.com/creamy-chic reserve. ken-bacon-pasta 6 Interview with Ben Davis on Pride & Prejudice Rap

By: Miranda Cincotta

For an assignment in Mr. came together quickly and Bubber’s class, junior Ben Davis according to him, it was the decided to try something fastest assignment he had ever creative, writing a rap, to sum up completed in that class. Not only chapters 19 and 20 of Pride and that, it was the first rap that he Prejudice instead of writing your had ever written but Ben says, average summary. Of his writing “Rhyming has always been easy process, Ben said that he didn’t and fun for me so that’s what I even intend for it to be a rap at tried and it worked!” All in all, first, just a short rhyming verse trying something new and out of but eventually it gained the ordinary worked for Ben and momentum and rhythm. “I wish I made an average homework could say I was attempting a assignment extraordinary. masterpiece,” Ben said. “But honestly it just kind of happened.” The final product Chapter 19 opens at Chapter 20 Longbourn Mrs. Bennet runs in, representing the gang Mr. Collins starts to declare in form She opens the door with Everybody else in the room tremendous delight dismissed Mr Collins responds, “This did Not wanting to be present just in not go so right.” case he’s dissed Mrs. Bennet dismayed with He says to Elizabeth, “Marry me promises unkept please” Demands that her husband “This is quite an offer, one you make Elizabeth accept. should seize” On the down low, dad has “As a man of stature will you be Elizabeth’s back mine” He basically says, “You don’t owe Elizabeth decides to politely that man jack” decline Mrs. Bennet freaks out and Mr. Collins not discouraged, with a complains to her friends wave of his hand She repeatedly states “This is not Says “it’s just like a woman-a how this ends” second and third offer demand” Lydia stands by, as does Elizabeth states “upon my word sir” Charlotte near and listening

“I will not accept your offer to The other’s however, find it all confer” quite sickening

Elizabeth says “can I be more Mr. Collins exclaims “I just want plain” you to know”

“For me to accept I’d be drunk on “My interest in Elizabeth I no champagne” longer bestow”

And she turns to leave to end his Mrs. Bennet says “please”, Mr. campaign. Collins says “no”

“This is the last that we’ll talk, let it go” 7AP Art Studio Student Highlight Ashlyn Turner

By: Charlotte Mckinley

Ashlyn Turner is a Senior at Saint John’s who is a part of Mrs. Miller’s AP Art Studio Class this year. Ashlyn, beyond being a talented artist, is an athlete for the Ashlyn Turner, ‘21, standing Saint John’s cheerleading next to her art, shown at the squad and is a focused Delplane Center of the Arts. student.

Ashlyn’s Portfolio Theme: "My AP is focused around my experiences as an Asian American and my feelings towards the past, present, and future, as I imagine it." 8 Track and Field Tackles Upcoming Season

By: Yen Troung

COVID-19 has made it very country, football, girls and boys difficult for Saint John's to soccer, tennis, and volleyball continue back to the way it was played close to a full season. before. However, that did not Over the winter, boys and girl's stop sports teams from halting basketball, indoor track, their activities. The Viking wrestling, and basketball cheer, coaching staff has been played a condensed season. Now relentless in practicing social in the spring, many teams at distancing and keeping players Saint John's are excited about masked during sports events at the upcoming season. One of Saint John's, so the sports that these teams is the SJCP track so many athletes look forward to and field team. all year have been possible. In the fall, cheerleading, cross Track and Field is a sport that The team's first meet is on includes athletic contests Sunday, April 18, at Mount Saint established on the skills of Joseph High School, shortly running, jumping, and throwing. after spring break. After this The name is derived from where the sport takes place, a running meet, more meets will take place track and a grass field for the in the upcoming weeks. Let's wish throwing and some of the these speedy Vikings the best of jumping events. Some well-known luck! events can include the long jump, 100-meter dash, and 400-meter dash. The Track team is coached by one of the best, Coach Rogers, also the football assistant coach. Joining him by his side is Coach Villarosa, who attended Saint John's before becoming a coach. This year, Coach Rogers emphasizes how this year's season will be "laid-back" due to the global pandemic. Many members of the team appreciate his relaxed approach. However, the practices are rigorous and 9 not for the faint of heart. Practices take place every day on Finding Your campus, and the team does Thing intense training. Coach Rogers' goal for everyone is to be in the "best shape they have ever been By: Austin in their lives." Exercises can include long-distance running Johnson and core workouts. Coach takes pride in the students and Many people have their “thing.” For describes them as the "finest some people, it's sports while for people of Saint John's Catholic others it may be singing. I will tell Prep." you right now that singing and sports are definitely not my things.

Every single person in life will have

different experiences- some good, some bad. Sometimes the bad experiences will actually help When I turned eight years old, I you. In my case, it did. had my very first flying lesson on my birthday. Many of my mom’s When I was about three years friends thought it was way too old, my grandfather on my dad’s soon for me to do that, but she side got lung cancer. Lung supported me. I remember sitting cancer is one of the most deadly up there with my instructor and types of cancer that a person thinking, “Wow, I can’t believe it is can get. Unfortunately, my family just my instructor and me up knew that our time with him here.” When we landed, I knew would be minimal. My this is what I wanted to do. This grandfather lived in west Texas, would become my “thing.” and for us, that was a three and a half hour plane ride. After he Fast forward a few years later; I was diagnosed, we started flying continued to take flying lessons down there every other week. every week. When I was fifteen, I After about five months of flying got my very first Federal Aviation down there, he passed away. Administration(FAA) certificate. It was called the student pilot’s I remember the feeling of waking certificate. This was my first step up early and going to the into becoming a pilot. As I airport. As a little kid, nothing started getting more advanced, beats waking up at 3:00 am, my instructor started to let me getting into the car, and walking do more advanced flying. After a into the empty airport. Many few months, it started looking like people find traveling exhausting, I could fly by myself. I was so but I always enjoyed it. My ready to fly solo and felt like favorite part was being able to nothing could stop me, then see the big plane through the COVID hit. The airport where I window at your gate. As a little flew shut down for a while. I was kid, the planes looked massive so bummed out and sad, but I compared to my short self. At the persevered and continued to end of each flight, I always study. Finally, after a few months thanked the pilot. When I was passed, the airport reopened, thanking them, my mom always and I was ready to fly again. After asked if she could get a picture a few more sessions with an of me sitting in the pilot’s seat. instructor, my life changed. On Little did I know that’s where I July 4th, 2020, I officially flew a would end up sitting by myself in plane by myself. the future. After a few weeks of flying solo, I received my Solo pilot’s certificate, which allows me to fly a plane by myself. I was so happy. I dreamt of that day since I knew I wanted to fly. After countless times of flying by myself, I felt like I was ready for the next step. I wanted to be able to fly with other people. This was my new goal to obtain. I continued to study for hours on end, I continued to fly, and I continued to learn. After transferring schools, I stopped flying for a while to get adjusted. But after a few weeks, I picked it right back up. To this day, I am learning more about flying and continuing to pursue more of it.

Flying is my “thing.” I enjoy every aspect of it. If I am stressed, bored, overthinking, or just wanting something to do, flying will always help me. I hope you Austin Johnson, ‘22, standing find your “thing”. If you already on the wing of his airplane have your ‘thing' figured out, I hope you continue to pursue it because no matter what it is, it will always help you in life.