By JEANETTE GENSON, scene editor

Here we are! At the end of my five-year college career, people are finally telling me I can graduate. This is a pretty big deal to me because, as a home schooler, I have never graduated before.

I am so excited, and honestly so proud to be graduating a Wildcat. But before I go, there are a few things I want to say.

I transferred to Central more than two years ago because my best friend wanted me to get out of a rotten relationship. Her plan worked, and I applied over winter quarter, told my family that I had been accepted on Thanksgiving and moved Jan. 1 to the great town of Ellensburg.

I didn’t know it then, but moving here was the best decision I’ve ever made. So for that, I want to thank Ayla for always knowing what is best for me, even when I don’t.

Another person I want to say something about is my other best friend, Braden. I promise that my full-time job from now on will be to let you drag me into more ridiculous situations, now that I’m finally done being stressed out all the time.

Before Central, I was never told that I could amount to anything great, but one woman here said that to me every day last year, and it finally sunk in. Lorinda Anderson, you have pushed and prodded me enough that I am finally going after what you always wanted for me.

You have been my biggest mentor here, and I feel so lucky to have worked with you. Thank you for everything, now can we finally get some fizzy drinks?

My time at Central would not be close to what it has been without my home away from home, CLCE. I probably owe my entire professional career that follows this school to that office, and I couldn’t be more proud to have been a part of it.

The staff at the center is the most supportive, ambitious and kindest group of people I have ever met, and some of you are the rowdiest people I know! Keep changing the world you guys, I promise your hard work pays off in the end.

The other group of hooligans I need to talk about is the Observer crew. Wow. We couldn’t have known what this year was going to bring us, but I think we all did our best and came out on top.

Chanet – you are my partner in crime. No other section has better hashtags, and I take pride in that. Never stop being the best walking Twitter feed there is. I love you girl.

News team — assembleeeeeeeee! You guys are on another level. Whenever I hear the terms, “trash!” and, “See what had happened was…” I will forever think of you and your shenanigans.

Sports team — I love you guys. Ev, you know you are my journalism golden child, keep doin’ yo thing brutha, but make sure to stay focused and don’t forget about those deadlines. And Claire, I didn’t get to work with you long enough, but I can’t wait to try a bacon bloody Mary now.

Graphic design team — you dinguses rock! Thanks for making the paper look so spiffy, and thanks Seth for always going along with my made-up languages.

Zolney — Let’s be real, you make the best birthday cards ever!

Derek — I made you what you are, now go and be free and fly. Just kidding. But on a serious note, if we ever work together ever again and I see you going for the chair, it’s on like Donkey Kong.

Chloe – OK, but like let’s talk! You are my ray of sunshine in the newsroom and my favorite girl to talk boys, make up and our lives with.

Danny — I don’t even know what to say. You are so out of control it’s a problem…or is it a….different. OK but on the real, you are a great teacher and a great leader. You are my Jew brother (no literally, our dads have the same birthday.) and the most ratchet person in Ellensburg.

Every time I think about actually graduating, I think about what my sister-in-law Erin said to me my freshman year: “It goes by so quickly, it will be over before you know it. Enjoy it now.” I can’t believe how true those words are.

It’s scary to think about going into the adult world, since no one really has anything nice to say about it, but I figure my post college life will probably zoom by just as fast as college has, so I should probably get started.

In my time at Central, I have learned to always do my homework, never leave beer in the glass and to never underestimate how cold it can get here. I want to thank every professor, classmate and friend who has helped me get to this point. Next stop, graduate school. See you all on the flip side!