Week 12: Adios!
Makeen S -
Twelve weeks sure flew bye, huh?
Transitioning out of high school has brought me to terms with the fact that there really are no do-overs. I’m grateful for every moment I’ve had the last seven years at BASIS Tucson North and beyond its doors. Every success, mistake, friendship, and experience has undoubtedly shaped the man I am today and who I will continue to develop into. Being off campus the last three months has granted me the opportunity to reflect on what I gained as a part of those classrooms, and as much as I say I’m ready to jump forward and never look back, I truly have started to miss it already.
I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Kong, Brianna, Zhixue, Jeremey, Emily, and Brian for extending their hospitality in being a part of their research group; Ali and Brecken for training me on the VSM; Johnny, Tesla, and Cyan for their support and friendship throughout this project; Mr. Lee for supporting my last four years of physics and inspiring my next four; Ms. Merrill for the incredible support I received all year as a senior; Anthony Birchak, Mercedes White, Marques Allen, and Christian Marsh for pushing me to be the best human and athlete I could be; my brother, Thabit Shafer, alongside my parents for their personal dedication to my success and their daily support and transportation; and many more who have been there for me at every step of this journey.
As my time at the Kong lab winds down, I will eternally be grateful for both the personal and professional development I have been a afforded, and as I move to new avenues of research I will always carry a part of this experience with me.
Thanks for watching me grow, Makeen Shafer
P.S.: I’ve grown rather attached to this excerpt, don’t be too surprised if you see something similar in my parent-square college announcement!
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