I have a vivid first memory of Brentwood High School; I was a small fifth grader, who could barely divide a whole number, saying to herself, “I’m gonna go to this school one day…” as I stood there with both of my parents in the Sonderling main lobby. Maybe my 11-year-old self spoke too soon, but I’m a firm believer in everything falling into place.

I, Mia Espinal, have always been a sensitive person. For the first day of every school year, from kindergarten to ninth grade, I’d always be crying. I used to be scared and nervous to go to school for no apparent reason.

Once 10th grade hit, I realized I wasn’t scared anymore. I felt comfortable in this chaotic high school environment. Being in this school motivated me to do better (as I also secretly wanted to leave ASAP!).

On the other hand, going into high school meant I could now be taking the official steps in my adult life and career.

Jokes aside, BHS inspired me to follow my dream of journalism. Since I was 14, I’ve been keen on the idea of becoming a journalist as I liked sharing news with people around me. I even started an Instagram page that now sits at over 130,000 followers just to write about news topics I love.

Journalism and the Pow Wow really helped me and opened my mind to things I never really knew about. These past two years have given me some of the most stressful but life-changing experiences. From writing a three-paragraph news “article” when I first started, to interviewing the principal and winning an award at Adelphi University, it’s been a wild ride to say the least.

Mrs. Buonaspina is the main source of enjoyment that has brought me to where I am now in Advanced Journalism. From the start of 11th grade to now a graduating senior, I’ll be missing the positive energy and all the important things she taught me. Maybe being the silent girl in the back of the class typing away wasn’t too beneficial…But now I get the opportunity to say: thank you, Mrs. B, for everything.

Here, I’m just another person in the school system. I have made nothing but a tiny mark on this school. But to any upcoming students reading this, I applaud you for making it this far! I wish you luck with whatever you choose to do, and I’m sending lots of support and love from a random place on Long Island. In general, I just want to thank everyone that got me to this stage of my life.

Graduating always seemed so far away; it takes a while for things to register in my mind and all these feelings haven’t really hit me yet. Thank you to my family, friends, the musical artists I listen to and God. I may not express my emotions or gratitude very often but deep down I really do love and support every single person who has stepped into and out of my life.

Now, with all the tears wiped from my eyes, I’ll be searching for my own path in this world.