I have been singing as long as I can remember. From knowing every word to Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up The Sun," to voice lessons, to recording my own music. Throughout the journey that is my relationship with music, the one constant I knew I could always rely on was chorus. And the incredible things chorus has given me over the past four years, I couldn't be more grateful for.

The chorus room in my high school is practically a second home after the rehearsals held there daily and my absolute refusal to spend free time anywhere else in the building. This room has been my safe place from the drama and teenage heartbreak that plagues the hallways. Walking into that room everyday is always the reminder I need that I belong and there will always be somewhere to go when I can't quite handle hearing about another story of a dramatic break up. There is no better feeling than knowing waiting for me inside that door is a piano or guitar to play, a teacher wanting nothing more than to inspire more music, and more pages of music than I can even fathom. This room has become my sanctuary, providing me an escape from the daily stresses that's right at my fingertips.

The chorus room is one incredible thing in itself, but absolutely nothing compares to those inside. Between chorus, treble choir, and our school's a cappella group, there's never really a dull moment. I am extremely lucky to have so many people I love and have grown with from one, some, or all of these groups. From the girls I used to stand with in the soprano section to the ones I'm with after switching to alto, from the basses goofing off to the tenors making faces across the room, it's unbelievable the connection we all share.

The fellow seniors that I share all of this with have been there since day one. We've watched each other grow, we've lifted each other up, and had more laughs than I can even count. If there is one example of family that I have experienced in high school, it's us. We've been through hearing the plot line of "Brigadoon" at least 50 times, struggling through sight reading, learning the Hallelujah chorus in two days every time, the beloved pops medleys, enduring tough rehearsals that don't seem to go well for anybody, two different teachers (with that month of at least seven different ones), and so much more together. We looked up to the seniors of chorus every year, patiently waiting our turn to sit in the infamous Murderer's Row together. Once we finally arrived to senior year and took our prestigious seats at the peak of the room after all these years, I think we all shared the feeling of pride. We made it there together. I may tease them all relentlessly whenever given the opportunity, but I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such kind hearted, goofy, and passionate people.

Chorus has given me the greatest friends, a community I feel a part of, a safe place, and all while perusing my first love of singing. Over the past four years, I can't emphasize enough how large of a part chorus played in keeping my head on straight. Now that I'm graduating, I know I will never forget the jokes, the traditions, the warm ups, the mess ups, the faces we all give each other across the room. I will never forget the room, the folders, the chairs, the out of tune piano and the new keyboard. They say that home is where the heart is, and whether I'm in Nashville, Chelmsford, or who knows where, a part of my heart will always remain in my high school chorus room.