In January, I competed with my team at the Foot of the Lake synchro competition. In February, I had a phrenectomy, planned a Winterfest assembly, held a Valentine’s girls’ night, competed at the Badger State Games, skated with my team at the Beaver Dam synchro competition. I went to an Alesana concert, competed in French Forensics, skated in the Eau Claire synchro competition, had a photo shoot with my lunch friends, and skated my senior solo in A Fairytale Ending in March. In April, I threw NAAP (non-alcoholic alternative prom) and participated in Senior Skip Day.
In May, my team won gold at State French Forensics and I dressed like a zombie prom queen with the rest of my friends at MORP. In June, I helped plan and participated in the Baccalaureate service, graduated, held and attended graduation parties, threw a tea party, went to Bamboozle, got my braces off, and saw the Eclipse premiere. I attended a toga party, spent a few days at Lifest, got my wisdom teeth removed, hit a deer and totaled my car, and attended Rhianna’s wedding in July. In August, I committed some shenanigans in Beaver Dam, went to the State Fair, threw myself a dinosaur-themed birthday party, spent a day on the Wisconsin River, attended the Alto Fair, moved into school, went on the Student Leadership Retreat, and had my 18th birthday.
In September, I visited the Botanical gardens, attended Nerds’ Night Out, and watched the Packers-Bears game. I came home for Fall break, attended Kirstin’s wedding, participated in Jessa’s surprise party, saw the Mae concert, had my car break down, and attended the Mayday Parade concert in October. In November, I celebrated Thanksgiving and enjoyed Thanksgiving break. In December, I participated in Santa Lucia decorating, threw a Christmas dinner party, celebrated with the family on Christmas Eve, grieved Taylor’s death, and enjoyed Christmas break.
Throughout the year, I helped manage the band Heartstrong, found a group of friends at high school who became my family, battled four months of depression, and met a lot of new people in college.
I can summarize 2010 with the following sentence: The greatest things in life aren’t things. These events wouldn’t have meant as much to me without the people I shared them with. My friends, family, coaches, teachers, and mentors helped make this year all that it was. I’ll try to list them all, but I know I’ll miss someone.
My skating team: Taylor Schaefer, Ashley Schultz, Makayla Salzman, Sierra Skindzelewski, Sydney Skindzelewski, Haley Mischler, Callie Mischler, Tegan Strook, Kate Schaalma
The Lunch Club: Hannah Brown, Frances Brown, Crystal Fix, Beth Wegner, Nicole DeBoer, Grace Winter, Morgan Deich, Allison Koenig, Bridgette Stelsel, Shayna Wilson, Stephanie Steinhauer, Taylor Navis
The Waupun friends: Colton Fude, Lydia Guell, Ty Trainor, Shawna Harmsen, Rhianna (Braaksma) Huizenga, Pete Huizenga, Jeff Norton, Nate Giebink, Justin Montsma, Nate Mallow, Kevin Jansma, Jamie Thompson, Chase VandeZande, Lucas VanEgtern, Gretchen Feeney, Keagan Hodge, Charlie Husnick, Derek Loomans, Noah Stenz, Meredith Zimmermann, Terry Stenz
The family: Pam Aylesworth, Brooke Aylesworth, Brielle Aylesworth, Brad Aylesworth, Shannon Aylesworth, Star Trepanier, Karen Lange, Judy Miller, Jerry Miller, Corey Oppermann, Marsha Oppermann
The 2C girls: Brittany Najera, Meghan Turner, Chelsea Matthias, Allenha Holden, Kelsey Wilcox, Storm Dorrough, Rebekah Held, Jessa TerBeest, Krista Sperling, Katie Wilson
The Trinity friends: Rachel Osborn, Emily Fredericksen, Bethany Kemming, Tommy Hanson, Jimmy Leiter, James Schroeder, Tim Mrowiec, Stefany Erazo, Bethany Melozinc, Shelby Hewerdine, Syerra Meadows, Crystal Thomas, Shaneice Johnson, David Cantwell, Jess Nussbaum, Cicely Reynolds, Calvin Taylor, Jonathon Reynolds, Jono Mullins, Emily Malay, Stephanie Tajnai, Mignon Rademan, Josiah Zacharias, Caleb Gore, Shaunda Fargo, Megan Baylerian, Allie Boggs, Britt Hopkins
"Sometimes it isn't where you're going; it's who you're with."
-Mayday Parade
