1. Always bring a sack lunch. It's just safer that way. No chance of mystery meat lunch and if your stomach grumbling in 3rd period becomes unbearable you have a solution. And if your mom makes your lunch for you every day, that's just one more reason she's the best person ever.
2. Success is not measured in how many clubs/sports/leadership positions/AP classes you're in although everyone will make you feel otherwise. Utah State's application didn't even ask for any of that stuff so if you weren't president of 500 clubs it's ok, you can still get in. Success, to me, is measured in how hard you work and in simply just being nice.
3. Friends leave. Sometimes they go on missions, sometimes they go to college, sometimes they just plain choose to no longer be a huge part of your life and sometimes you choose that too. It never gets easier, and it's been one of the hardest parts of high school for me. But one thing I've learned is that Heavenly Father will always bless you with someone new. He has so many hellos in store for you that the goodbyes don't seem as hard. Just keep being nice, keep pushing forward, and the best people in life will always be there for you no matter what. (Cheesy line of the day right there.)
4. Take Seminary. I can't stress this enough. You're going to have awkward classes where no one talks and the lessons are boring and you can't seem to stay awake through one more cheesy movie. But on the other hand, you will have classes that completely change your life. Your testimony will be strengthened, you'll meet new friends that you wouldn't have otherwise, you'll learn to recognize the Spirit, and you'll be happier and more confident I guarantee it. And who knows, maybe you'll say something that will help someone else more than you even know.
5. Take English 12. If you don't then you won't get the Regent's Scholarship and you'll be really mad. Enough said.
6. Run cross country and track. I've learned more about life and being a good person through this sport than anything else. The friendships, memories, and experiences I've had I wouldn't trade for anything. Cross country and track was most definitely my favorite part of Lehi. I'll forever love the times I had running as a Pioneer from my awkward Freshman days with my giant watch and long basketball shorts to my senior year when ice baths were just a natural part of life. Running has made me the person I am today and I couldn't have asked for better coaches and teammates to help me through all the hard times and to celebrate with me through all the good times.
7. Taking AP Calculus does not mean you're smart. It just means you're dumb enough to spend hours a day on homework that you don't understand one bit. (But now I know how to find the volume of a solid rotating around an axis. Cuz who wouldn't need that?)
8. Use mechanical pencils or better yet, use pens. None of the teachers have good pencil sharpeners and that can put a damper on your day for sure.
9. Dances are really fun! And they don't have to be expensive. Some of my favorite dances were the girls choice dances where we spent no money at all. (Well, except for on the overpriced ticket, but I guess that was worth it.)
11. Watching The Voice and Studio C every Monday night is the best way to start off your week. And if you're lucky, your favorite singers will win. (Team Josh!)
12. Family is the best thing to ever happen to you. The older I get the more I realize how lucky I am to have the family that I have. They love me and take care of me and they're so fun. I love my sisters more than anything and they've cheered me up on so many days where I really needed it. My parents really have been the best examples and have helped keep me on the right track but also let me make my own decisions and learn for myself. Mason is great too, I just wish he'd realize how cool I am so we could be better friends. :) Family is the greatest blessing and biggest priority, I wish I'd realized that earlier in life. I love my fambam and am so glad I get to be with them forever and ever.
13. The church is true, through and through. Hard days come, hard weeks come, hard months come. But through it all the Savior is there and so is our Heavenly Father. They're the best around and will help you be the best you can be if you only ask them to.
I know there's tons more I've learned throughout high school but there's a start. Now I want to give a shoutout to some of my favorite kids. I think I was friends with the best of the best from Lehi High :)
Coach Rowe... He's definitely someone who has made one of the biggest impacts on my life. He helped me through injury after injury not only as a coach with running but as a friend. He really gives the best advice. Whenever something went wrong he was the first one I went to because I knew he'd still believe in me and help me pick myself back up. We've had so many good times... "Will Kenzie live or die?" One time in Arizona I was grumpy and he was like "Ok Kenzie let's go get you some food." See, he knows me so well. I'm going to miss him so much next year, it's not even funny.
Beans! I was friends with him my freshman year and had no idea we'd be this good of friends when he got back from his mission. He's been super supportive of everything and just super genuine and thoughtful. Beans, you're the best and I can't wait for more trail run Tuesdays :)
Chase. If you would have told me sophomore or junior year that I'd be best friends with Chase Montgomery I wouldn't have believed you :) It's crazy that we started hanging out in scifi and just realized we have lots of fun together and have lots in common. We've seriously had the best times this year and he's so funny and good at making fun of me and really just the best friend I could have. You've taught me so much, Chase, and helped me become a better person. I'm struggling with even knowing what to say cuz I'm just so glad I have you in my life. You're going to go far in life. Go Seahawks. :)
Gibs has been one of my closest friends for a long time. He's so good at "girl talk" and he's hilarious and smart and just the nicest guy you'll ever meet. So thankful for Gibson and I'm really really glad he's staying in Utah to go to college :)
Kaden has always been like a big brother to me and I know no matter what he has my back and would do anything for me. Sometimes he even ran over to my house within 2 minutes because I said I needed to talk or wanted to bake cookies or something. Kaden, you rock.
Jackie... Where to begin? Ever since we were five we've been best friends and it just keeps getting better. Jackie has been someone that's been so constant in my life and I know she'll always be there to talk to about anything and to go on a run with and no matter what she supports me and loves me. I can't wait for our adventures next year at Utah State, I'm so lucky to have had a friend like her for so long and I know the good times won't ever stop :)
On the left is Brother Butler and in the middle is Brother Gentile. They've been 2 of my favorite seminary teachers of all time (along with Brother Evans) and they've helped me so much. They brought the spirit into my life and helped me become more willing to share my testimony. I learned so much from them and looked forward to coming closer to Christ every day in their class. Seminary was the biggest blessing and I can't wait for institute!
The Bakery Girls: Alesha, me, Brittany, Jenny, and Kenzie. These girls are the greatest. We've made so many memories like dancing every week to the Friday song, Jenny scaring me all the time, eating meat pies, trying to rap, and so many more. I love them and am so happy I got to spend my high school working with these cool kids.
Well, Lehi, it's been fun. But I'm kind of excited to be an Aggie :)
