"You are the person you are for many reasons. Your life is comprised of countless variables that have shaped you into the person you are today. Every situation you encounter permits you to learn and prosper. Be thankful for the positive experiences, but also be thankful for the negative experiences because they are what allow you to become a stronger individual. You cannot control where you come from and you cannot change the past. However, you have the ability to chose where you go from here. You have the ability to determine the paths of your future. You need to use your head to make logical decisions, while following your heart. You have the ability to create your own happiness. It is essential to stand up for yourself and fight for what you believe in. Stay true to yourself. When people underestimate your abilities, prove them wrong. Life will knock you down, but you need to get back up and laugh at it. Stay positive, stay determined, and stay motivated. Others may influence your future, but ultimately you are the only person in control of it. Therefore, make the future the future you have always dreamed of." -Sara Kinsey (JTHS '12)