Senior goodbye: Madison Rivera

Dear Ellie Clarke,

I’ve been reflecting on my senior year and how much you have impacted it, especially my life as a whole. It is so bittersweet since I didn’t meet you sooner but I’m so glad that I did. You filled my senior year with the biggest laughs and smiles and you never were scared to show me your authentic self. I’m so happy and thrilled that you were so welcoming towards me and that we built so many fun memories together.

Halloween was one of my favorite memories of ours, the day we got closer as newly best friends. I wasn’t in the best mindset at the time yet you always found a way to make me laugh and have the best time ever. Whether it was watching stupid movies, playing video games or stuffing our faces with candy, you completely brightened my life and I could not thank you enough for being there. We were not that close at the time but you always made the effort to get closer and learn new things about me. I knew it was the best decision I have ever made inviting you to my Halloween party and spending a night filled with laughter with you.

My all time favorite memory with you was peer pressuring you into joining ACTS. You always told me how acting and going on stage in front of hundreds of people wasn’t your thing, but you made the best out of it since you wanted to spend more time with the friend group. You realized how great of an opportunity it was once we started spending almost every day together for rehearsals and dinners. Dancing and singing with you was so incredibly fun because you brought so much energy into every single thing you did. I will never forget closing night because it was such a sad moment for us as it was my last show at Carroll, yet through those tears I was smiling since I knew we will always be the bestest of friends, no matter where we are.

I just want to say thank you for making my senior year one of the funnest years I have ever had. Leaving Carroll is hard, but knowing how close we are, we will always have such a strong bond that will never break. I love you lots, Ellie.

With gratitude,

Madison (Max) Rivera