These are my best friends in the whole wide world, Jennifer and Melanie. Jennifer is my exact opposite. She is the friend I turn to when I need a new spin on things. Mel and I have the same opinions on many things. She's the one I turn to when I need understanding. I don't think I could make it through the day without these two.
Jenn, I know that ten years from now we will still be friends. A tear never fails to fall from my eye when I think of a world where you and I aren't friends. Love is a word that I don't throw around, but I truly love you.	Melanie, you have had to work for so much in your life that out of all of my friends, I have the most respect for you. Your spirit can honestly overcome everything. You make everyone a better person just by being around. Just imagine what being friends with you has done for me.

This is my great friend Manda. I love her so much. She's always got fruit roll-ups when you need to be cheered up. Amanda was yearbook editor my freshmen year. Between the two of us we perfected the art of chair dancing. She now goes to college, but we make sure to make time to see each other. Manda, You can always make me smile no matter what force has driven me down so far. You always tell me the truth and through everything have been nothing but a fantastic friend. I will never forget your words of wisdom and the should that was always there to cry on.

This is Becky. Becky and I are in yearbook together. If that sounds boring, you don't know what we do in yearbook. She's going away for college, and I will truly miss her. She always makes sure that my mind is where it should be and my heart knows where it is going. She's like a guardian angel making sure I stay safe. Beck, it is unbelievable how far we have come from those two scared kids that became friends so long ago. You never cease to amaze me and your future holds nothing but gold. Remember a wish is nothing but a desire, a dream is a mere thought, but a goal is nothing but attainable.

This is Jenny Penny. She and I are huge STEPS fans and love to act stupid. Jenny went off to Ohio University where she plans on studying English and Journalism. She'd be a great reporter. Jenny, I know your somewhere else right now, loving someone else no doubt, and it's one for sorrow, but it's just too bad, about us. You were such a profound influence on my life that I can still feel it now. You taught me to have fun and ignore those who would try to make you feel ashamed about it.

These are my really, really good friends. On the left is Jennifer. Her smile is a ray of sunshine on a cloudy morning.	Erin, on the right, is my partner in crime and alot of fun to be around. Erin and Jen are the type of friend that everyone wishes they had, and I've been lucky enough to find two of them. We've had a blast!
Jen, You never have the faith and confidence in yourself that you should. Never let anyone tell you that you're not good enough, not strong enough, not pretty enough, not tough enough. You are all that you will ever need, because you are Jen.	Erin, To a girl who was brave enough to face off against the strange world of Germany. You showed me how brave you are when you traveled across the world, and how humble you were when you returned the same wonderful person that left. You are one of the people who will go places that others dream about.

Terra is a great friend. She is always around to make me laugh and never judges anyone for making a mistake. She doesn't let silly things get to her and takes everything she does one thing at a time. She always helps me unwind after a long day. Terra, you have faced demons in your life that would scare me into submission, but you never fail to overcome them all with grace and a smile. You have a future ahead of you if you would only realize how truly special you are. You have a way of looking at the world that is truly your own. Don't ever change.

Ashley is one of the most active and involved people in our class. She makes sure we have pride in ourselves and what we do. Ashley, you are always there to push me to get better. You have ideas and dreams and know exactly where you want to be and just how to get there. I would wish you luck but you don't need it. You will succeed and I'll be happy to say I knew you.

Willy is always the center of attention, doing something funny, stupid, or both. Willy, we were always fighting and arguing, but we joke and get over it. The attitude you have will endear you to many, and annoy others. Good luck.

Jessica is always around will something smart to say but you can never hear it because her mouth is permanently connected to her boyfriend Bob's lips. Jessica, I know that you will be success because you're patient and caring. I hope you enjoy Akron. Think of me often and remember me fondly.

Melissa is a comedian in the making. She always has something funny to say. Melissa, your sense of humor is truly unique and your view of the world is definitely your own. You'll go far if you can just watch what you say sometimes. Smile.

Jessica is the person who makes sure that I have a smile on my face and feel good about myself. She always has a positive thing to say about everyone. Jessica, you have shown me so many things. Like being smart doesn't mean you have to remind everyone about it. You showed me that I do have some good things about me, and that I don't have to be everyone's friend. Thank you for being mine.

Laura is the only person from my HOBY session that I still talk to. That's amazing since she wasn't even in my state. She has always been the voice of reason in my life. Laura, You have always been a ray of sunshine. We only spent that weekend together but we have a relationship and bond that will last forever. Thank you.

Sarah is one of my more calming friends. She doesn't talk that much, but when she does, Watch Out. Sarah, you need to step up and know that what you have to say is important. You bring a lot to a conversation and a friendship. I just hope you realize that. Good luck.

Kristy is a girl that makes sure my head doesn't get to big. Kristy reminds us of the many memories we've had. She's like our group historian. Kristy, make sure to drop me a line from across the state. I want to keep in touch with you. You always make me feel better and make sure I don't let my problems become too much for me to handle. Thanks.

Megan is another one of my quiet friends. She doesn't want to admit it but compared to the other people in our class, she is a bit more quiet. Megan, you have a good grip on reality. Keep it, you're going to need it in the future. Remember to take time out and smell the roses. I hope you have a great time in college. You deserve it. Good luck.

Heather is a member of my class and a great friend. She is always chipper and has a positive spin to give things. Heather is one of those people I love to talk to. She makes you feel like the king of the world. I'm so sorry that I was only good friends with her. I bet she would have a made a great best friend. Heather, good luck, you have your head and heart in the right place. You'll be a success. Remember all you have to do is keep your head up and fate will do the rest.

Rebecca and I have gone to school together since first grade, and I have always considered her a close friend. Rebecca, we always harassed each other, and I know that I always told you that I couldn't stand it. Now that we have to say good-bye, and I don't have to get up and hear your insults, I'm going to miss it. I never thought I'd ever say that, but I will miss you so much. Keep smilin'.

Lina is a girl that has a mouth that runs a mile a minute and a sense of humor that could crack up any person. Xylina, you never fail to slap me upside the head if I do or say something stupid. I know we always had our differences of opinions but we managed to stay friends through it all. I wish I could save you on a disk and take you with me to college. I need a daily dose of Lina.

These are my junior friends. First, Lindsay and I are very close. Lindsay and I became friends when her sister, Jen, who I was friends with already, drove me home. We danced to "Where My Girls At". The rest is history. Lindsay, a second without you is like a second that never happened. You always make me feel like a person who deserves to be your friend, though sometimes I have doubts. You are the greatest person and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for you in my life.

Next, Katie and Tera are my good friends. We are in drama together and became friends when we had a scene together in our play "Go Ask Alice". We were all nuts. Katie and Tera, You two are always making me laugh. You make sure I don't get too full of myself or too far ahead of the game. I know that when you're around someone's got my back. Thanks for letting me be the kind of friend you both deserve to have.

Here we have Rachael, who's got a unique way of looking at the world. She's a "special" person. Rachael, you are an amazing person and just never stop sometimes to realize how fantastic you are. I've always tried to be a mirror that made you realize that you are the wonderful person you strive so hard to be. In the process, I've learned that saying nothing can be more meaningful than empty words.

Here we have Jen. Jen and I have intelligent conversation together. She's always happy to see me. Jen, no person is more trustworthy than you are to me. I have turned to you time after time for advice, an opinion, or just someone to listen to. Never once did you frown or tell me no. You always kept my secrets and no looking back having you there made life a lot easier.

Then we have Clint. Not the neatest guy I know, but he's so funny. Clint, you have a unique way of thinking and you always can make me laugh. If nothing else thank you for that. High school can sometimes be brutal but you were always around to make all the bad things just fade away.

This is Princess Amber. She's so sweet and nice, but watch out she's got a devilish streak in her. Amber, you are the sweetest little thing I've ever seen. It's no surprise to me that you will do great things with your life. You always said I could do anything when I had convinced myself that I just couldn't.

This is Jana doing what she does best... flipping her tongue over. Jana, you always have a smile on your face and what seems to be a song in your mind whenever I see you. That bounce in your step can be very contagious. Hey, it rubbed off on me.	Cynda has a big mouth and loves to show it off when a camera's around. Cynda, of all of my friends I think you and I have become friends the fastest. Maybe it was all the pear jokes, but there is never a dull moment when the two of us get together. I hope you enjoy college and keep the sense of humor I loved so much.	Amanda is new to Chalker this year but she's fitting right in. Amanda, you and I have our ups and downs, our fights and our times of peace, our laughter and our tears. You are the person that is the most similar to me. You love to argue and your great at it. Enjoy the Air Force and Look me up when you get out.

Rudi is funny and a fierce debater. When she's not doing that, she's just being sweet. Rudi, To the girl who puts up with my crap, and then shoots most of it back at me. You keep my eyes open to the world around me that I would miss if you weren't around. You always make sure I take time to smell the roses. Take some of your own advice now and relax a little the last two years of high school.

Becca has way too much energy and projects it toward everyone around her. Becca, You get through life with a smile, a smart remark, and a strong arm and fist just in case it comes to that. You and I have shared a stage and that's something that not everyone can brag about. Enjoy your last two years and don't let anyone push you around.

A Gallery of Friends