I don’t know if it is possible for me to count the reasons why I love Whitefish.

Simply put, this is my heart home. It was love at first sight with the wilderness recreation here, but it has been the sincerity of this town that has expanded my heart and soul, and how its people love their high school students.

Although it seems like I just got here, it’s time to for me to pack up and move on. Myself and roughly 100 other patrons of 2015 are making all kinds of big leaps. From staying in the valley, to spreading coast to coast, my graduating class is creating quite the smattering of Bulldog pride.

My graduation cap and gown came in the mail a couple days ago. I opened the package, feeling clueless and contented as to how this could belong to me. How can I be ready? How can I reap the most joy and memories from the fleeting moments I have left?

As I gear up for this next stage of life, I need to speak my mind one more time: writing for this community has been one of my most enriching experiences. Thank you, Whitefish, for listening and responding to my words.

Turns out many people don’t like the word retard. People deserve your kindness, regardless of their sexual orientation. Mental illness is something that impacts all our lives. Our environment requires your consideration, advocacy and protection. The office ladies and all the other heroes that make our district run should be treated with much gratitude.

Thank you for tapping into your own potential to be a superhero. Thank you for getting knee deep in the most important causes in our community, bravery comes in all forms. I am grateful to have had such an opportunity to connect, to challenge, to share and to learn on a level I never thought was possible.

“It is not more bigness that should be our goal. We must attempt, rather, to bring people back to...the warmth of community, to the worth of individual effort and responsibility...and of individuals working together as a community, to better their lives and their children’s future.” Robert F. Kennedy

I am proud and ready to pass the torch to the next interpreter of campus views.

As always, respect yourself and others.

One more shout out to my close friends and loving family for encouraging and making me better. Love is a big deal.

— Grace Kurtz is a senior at Whitefish High School