When I first walked through the doors of Madison Consolidated High School as a freshman, I thought I knew exactly what the next four years would look like. I planned to play sports, turn in my work, and make the most of my time here. What I didn’t realize was how many unexpected moments (both good and bad) would shape the person I would become.
Freshman year, I entered MCHS with a group of friends I had grown up with, while also taking some tougher classes than many of them. It was a year when I learned a lot about myself and how life would work over the next few years. During that time, I was also diagnosed with anxiety and attention-deficit disorder, which added another challenge to navigate. Through it all, sports became a big focus for me, especially golf and soccer, where I met new people and reconnected with others.
Sophomore year was where things took a turn. I started getting involved in things I shouldn’t have, which eventually led to trouble that affected my high school journey in several ways. During the fall soccer season, I was suspended for three games. After returning, I played only two games before suffering an injury that ended the rest of my season. In the spring, I played in one golf tournament before receiving another suspension that kept me out for half of the season. Those experiences taught me some difficult but important lessons. I worked hard to earn back the trust of my coaches and teammates and eventually fought my way back into a trusted spot on the roster, competing for a top-five position the next year.
Sophomore year wasn’t all bad, though. That was also when I discovered journalism. I joined The Madisonian, wrote three articles, and began learning the craft alongside 2025 MCHS graduates Brodee Schmidt and Austin Dailey while being taken under The Madisonian adviser, Mr. Shockley’s, wing. Learning how journalism worked and getting to be part of the newsroom quickly hooked me.
Junior year felt like a fresh start: new articles, a spot in the golf team’s top five, and a commitment to stay out of any drama. I started the year strong with new content for The Madisonian, including the article “Madison Men’s Golf Team Reflects on State Finals Run,” a video titled “MCHS’ True Commits to IU East,” and several timeout news segments with Brodee. The second semester was even better, as I published three more articles that were some of the best work I produced all year. On the golf course, our team finished the season with a sectional championship and a trip to regionals.
During my senior year so far, I have learned the most about myself and who I want to be in the future. I stepped away from soccer so I could focus fully on golf, and it paid off when I received an offer to continue my golf career at Anderson University, a Division III school in Anderson, Indiana. With the season right around the corner, my goal is to play the best golf I can while enjoying my final season at Madison with my teammates, coaches, friends, and family.
Outside of golf, I have also developed a strong interest in photography, especially taking photos of cars and sports. In the journalism room, this year has been both interesting and fun. With Brodee gone, I had to adapt to working in a new way and step outside of my comfort zone. I ended up writing two articles on topics very different from what I usually covered. One of the most challenging was “Political Violence Is Rising, and the World Should Take Notice.” It took patience and careful work, but it became one of the pieces I’m most proud of.
Looking back, there are definitely things I wish I had done better and opportunities I may have missed. Still, I had an amazing four years at Madison. I met people who I never expected would become some of the closest friends in my life. Some I consider like brothers.
Soon I’ll walk out of those same doors I first entered as a freshman. This time, though, I’ll be leaving with lessons learned, memories made, and a new path ahead, new articles to write, new courses to play, new tournaments to win, and new photos to take.
I’m thankful for my family, friends, coaches, teachers, and everyone who helped guide me through this rocky but unforgettable journey.
