Sitting in my dorm room listening to Jim Dale read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, shock had overcome me. Ever since the car had left the driveway of our old but spacious house that had grown on me, I was holding onto hope that I would be returning. Holding onto hope that the past year of my life hadn't just been a dream. Holding onto hope that I was going to get to see all the amazing friends that I made during my senior year. Holding onto hope for over two months. So naturally, hearing the words "You can't go back" had a devastating effect on me. Hope was gone.

Moments after hearing these words, my year in McLean flashed before me. I remembered my first day of school and how I knew that Journalism was going to be my favorite class. I remembered meeting Nicolas Anthony and Caroline Griffis, my first lab partners in Anatomy. I will never forget the infectious laugh of Mr. Click or the first ever conversation that I had with my eventual best friend Shanzeh Umerani, that centered around Star Wars and Supernatural. The journalism trips will always have a special place in my memory, because it was through these trips that I met amazing people like Meryl Menezes and became closer to others such as Caroline Watkins.

In the military, families are always moving around so there is likely a lot of new students who are going to a new high school for their senior year, but I am glad to say that it was one of the best experiences of my life. After the words "You can't go back," I constantly asked myself that if I only had a year in McLean and I was not going to be able to go back, what was the whole point on holding onto the memories and people that I had met? Then I remembered if I had not taken advantage of this experience, then people like James Grajales, Morgan Koerner, Adam Davis, Samantha Remer, Shimal Gulhan, and Daniela Cadena would not be people that are important in my life. I always had a love for writing, but if I had not moved to McLean, chances are that I wouldn't have found my passion for journalism and I wouldn't be in California studying it right now.

Had it not been for McLean, I would have never met Mrs. Perry or Mrs. Benedict, two of my favorite teachers throughout high school that would play major roles in helping transition in senior year. Had McLean never happened, I would have never become friends with Sarafina and we would have never stood outside Mr. Howell's room, watching the entrances for gelled up hair and sun glasses, signaling that he had entered the building. We would've never been able to talk about how enthralled we were that Mr. Howell could speak very fluent French.

It was through that year that our German friends could come out during spring break and we were able to go to all the family reunions that were being held on the East Coast. Snow covered streets with a record number of feet falling, making the year even more special after almost five years of not experiencing a true winter.

I will never forget the conversations with Eric Juneau, Moe Hassan, and Janie Greenwood as we stood outside in the cool fall breeze, the freezing winter wind, and the warmth of summer as we waited for the bus throughout the year. Wandering the empty halls and preparing articles for publication during late nights was always special to me, even if that meant staying at school from 7:45 AM to 9:30 PM. The feeling of loneliness and not wanting it to end is a feeling that I will never forget as June 20th (Graduation Day) grew nearer. I still remember the days after June 20th and the days leading up to August 18th, trying to make the most of my time and see as many of my friends as I could before I said my final goodbye. Finally, I remember the sight of the old but spacious house that had grown on me disappear as the car turned out of the cul-de-sac.

To Shanzeh, Caroline, James, Meryl, Sam, Adam, Morgan, Eric, Moe, Mrs. Benedict, Mrs. Perry, Sarafina, Shimal, Daniela, and many others; I have already said goodbye but this is my final goodbye: I will miss you all.

To Mclean, with old oak trees and my home senior year, one of the best places that I have ever lived. You will always be special to me and while I already said goodbye, this one is from the heart as I let go. This is my final goodbye.