Sarah DeStefano
To me, Damascus was a choice. I could’ve gone to Clarksburg but something told me this was where I needed to be. Everyday I’m thankful for that choice, despite all the setbacks, and I’ve grown to love Damascus like I grew up here.
I leave my determination to not have my schedule changed to Ms. Stevenson. When I first began high school, I wanted to control everything, from when I had which class to what teacher, from semester to semester I didn’t want anything to change. By the time I got to my junior year, I was finally ready to just let it be but those first two years, I was in that office all the time and I’m super thankful to Ms. Stevenson for putting up with it.
I leave my love for flowers to Ms. Mayhew, someone who inspired me to pour my creativity out into beautiful art and someone who saw the true me, no matter what. Even with all my flaws, she still pushed me to be the best version of myself and to let go of some of the stuff that was holding me back. Sorry for all the times I used way too much product or didn’t meet the professional standards.
I leave my love of math and tutoring to Ms. Yee. I struggled a lot the first semester of my freshman year and Ms. Yee turned her classroom into a safe space for me. She’s another person who saw me, no matter what front I tried to put up. She gave me something to do everyday, expanding my knowledge about the topics and getting to help other people. Connecting with so many people on so many different levels allowed me to learn that I wanted to work directly with people for a living. I know I haven’t been around as much these past two years but your kindness towards me in my underclassmen days is not forgotten. Thank you.
The final teacher I would like to leave something to is Coach Humprehy. I leave my growing love for the sport of basketball. He gave me the opportunity to explore a future career path and it’s grown into something that doesn’t just benefit me, but the players, alumni and others interested in the program as well. Thank you for giving me the freedom to be me, to make mistakes and to learn from them and build a brand that’s recognizable across the county.
I leave Isabelle Strouble our time together in middle school. From being attached at the hip during lunch to hanging out in your basement on the weekends, we truly were inseparable. I remember all the times we would share google docs so we could talk when teachers seated us across the classroom, or all the videos we made that tormented Mr. Thornett. My gmail will always remember your name and ID number whenever I go to send an email. We made the most of that time together. Middle school sucked but it sucked a little less because of you. You were my first real friend and I’m not sure I’ve ever had a best friend quite like you since.
To our Editor-in-hief, Mia Dove, I leave our matching Avalanches. Even though they have a terrible turning radius and can be really unreliable, I know you love your truck just as much as I love mine. Here’s to being the Chevy representatives in a parking lot of Fords.
To my brother, Tony DeStefano, I leave all our morning trips to school and rides home after practice. Although most of the time it was your fault we were late, I’m going to miss being late with you and hearing you complain about my ‘terrible’ music taste. At least I don’t listen to Drake.
High school was a rollercoaster, filled with all the high highs and low lows. People can shape our experiences in ways we aren’t even aware of until later and I’m grateful for all the character development high school has given me. Although I wouldn’t choose to relive any of it, not even for a moment, I’ll look back with a very limited fondness on what my high school experience was.
Mia Dove
As my time at Damascus comes to an end, it is important all of my affairs are in order. I want all of my possessions to be well taken care of and for my legacy to never die. Below is what I am giving to all of my friends and peers.
Ellie Dove
To my dearest sister Ellie, I am leaving the role of “favorite child,” since we all know that’s what I am. I am also leaving you rides to school, since I became your personal chauffeur this year. I will miss running out of the house everyday just to pull into the parking lot as the bell is ringing the first warning. May your bus rides next year remind you of me and make you realize I am always here for you if you need it. I will always be one text away.
Isabelle Strouble
To Isabelle Strouble, I leave all the energy drinks in the world. Neither of us ever walked into class empty handed, we always clutched to our cans of caffeine. I think this is an unspoken way of use showing how alike we may be, despite not truly becoming friends until this school year. You have brought a sense of friendship into my life that I never knew I needed, and I hope you make the biggest name for yourself in your industry.
Lilly Strong
To my best friend in the whole wide world, Lilly Strong, I leave everything material that I own. You get all of my money, clothes and can even take my Legos. I will also leave you with infinite laughter and joy, but I know you already carry much of that. Being around you is like being around a ray of sunshine, I can never be upset or sad. You have gotten me through some of my toughest days and I hope I was able to do the same for you. I also leave you with the half-used Chick-Fil-A gift card in my wallet, because we all know you’re going to be needing that. Just make sure you share your fries!
Sophia Simoni
To Sophia Simoni, I am leaving the role as the most outspoken person in the class. Never let anyone dull your sparkle. Always voice your opinion because it does matter. Your smile and giggle always lit up the room and I will dearly miss that. I also leave you the role of editing articles. This role is a big responsibility to carry, but I know I can trust you will do it with such honor and integrity that it will seem like nothing has ever changed.
Julianne Ostrowski, Delaney Ray, Payton Wallace and Paige Wheeler
To Julianne Ostrowski, Delaney Ray, Payton Wallace and Paige Wheeler, I leave you guys with rides to all of our softball away games. The happiness you have brought into my life this year cannot even be described in words. I also leave all of you with my Dunkin’ Donuts boosted reward status so you can always be on the grind for extra points. I hope every single time you get Dunkin’, you think of me. I know I will be thinking of you. Whoever decides to drive next year better be safe and enjoy collecting clear hair-ties in their center console from you guys doing your gameday hair in the backseat. I wouldn’t have wanted to drive anyone else around this year.
Katelynn Doyle
To Katelynn Doyle, I leave all my bravery and pride. You are one of the strongest people I know, mentally and physically. I need you to always continue to stick up for your teammates and advocate for what is right. I leave you my voice as well, so you can be heard from across a room.
Brooke and Aislinn Sell
To Brooke and Aislinn Sell, I leave all my laughter and love. The amount of times I have laughed myself to tears from something we said is not even countable. Every moment I spend with you guys makes me feel loved and worthy. I hope the laughter continues, no matter the distance between us.
Isabelle Strouble
I, Isabelle Strouble, being prepared to graduate Damascus High School and move on to college, hereby present my senior will and testament to the people who helped me through these four years.
To the most important person in my life, my cousin and best friend, Silas Walsh, I will you to endless Baja Blasts, band gigs, Hollister gift cards, and finally getting your license. I am beyond lucky to have you as my best friend and I am so excited to see all the amazing things you accomplish at FIT. I am going to miss you so much. I am going to miss going to Taco Bell, forcing you to make TikToks with me, watching bad movies for a good laugh, listening to you play guitar, and mostly just being around you no matter what we are doing. I don’t know how I will survive without seeing you every day. I wish we could go back to the days of Shopkins, guessing what we were saying underwater, making slime, and all the unnecessary fights. Love you Silas. I cannot wait to visit you in NYC.
To my best friend in the whole world, Bella McClung, I will you all the Cotton Candy Alani in the world and the gas money to visit me in college as much as possible. I am so lucky to call you my best friend, someone I can always count on, tell everything to, and joke around with. In college we’ll be further away but I know we’ll make it work. I will miss our summers of beach trips, sleepovers on the little couches, your sleep talking, calling each other’s families our own, and so much more. I am so grateful for you and I know college will not change anything. Love you so much.
To my amazing friend and future roommate, Maggie McGraw, I will you a future shared closet and so many college memories. I would have never guessed that the girl I spent a week with at camp would end up being my best friend and roommate. I loved spending time with you at camp and I will never forget staying up late talking about anything and everything. I loved visiting your house, going to the Amish Market, tubing for the first time, and eating dinner on the boat. Then you came to my house and experienced traffic for the first time. We went to the beach, the mall, and made so many TikToks. College will be so fun with you. Love you Maggie!
To my sidekick, Remy Cooperstein, I will you late night drives and the most spontaneous side quests. Thank you for being the best friend I could ask for these past four years. I cannot wait to go to Penn State and continue making memories with you by my side. I love how we can talk for hours and never run out of things to say. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I loved our side quests, watching your field hockey games, visiting you at work, playing with your dogs, and all the random adventures we took. Can not wait for more memories. Love you Rem.
To Mia Dove, I will you the reminder to stay exactly as you are. You have this quiet way of making people feel included without ever making it a big deal. I think about English class last year and how your smile could make any day better, even when I did not say much. I am so glad we got closer this year. One time I was going to skip a football game because I didn’t have anyone to go with and you told me I could sit with you. At homecoming I didn’t have anyone to take pictures with and then you took one with me. You are the kind of person who makes people feel like they belong without even thinking about it. I hope Syracuse gets to see the version of you we all get to see: a talented journalist, beautiful smile, baseball ball knowledge, and the same heart you show everyone here.
Sarah DeStefano, my middle school best friend, and right hand man in journalism. I will you the reminder to “lock in” (eventually) like you always say you need to. I am so happy we got to rekindle this year, and I’m not sure why it took so long. From playing with model horses in my basement, and getting made fun of for being “horse girls”, to writing articles about sports, you’ve always made everything more fun. You bring the humor, tea, and chaos. I love the person you are, and I can’t wait to hear about all the drama of WVU and of course all that you accomplish.
To the future seniors of The Buzz: Ethan, Collin, Jack and Sophia, I will you great futures and many more seasonal coach spotlight articles and fast fives. Enjoy every moment of high school because it does go fast. I hope you guys keep writing. I’ve loved watching you guys grow in your writing skills, and I know you’ll all go far.
