This week is the last week of Advanced Placement exams and it is also the seniors’ last full week of school.

With everything winding down, all of the sports are ramping up.

For track and tennis, the regional competition is this weekend and girls lacrosse had games throughout this week. I had the pleasure of watching my first lacrosse game ever on Monday night and I absolutely loved it.

Our Lady Raiders won and the celebratory dog pile as the last seconds ran out could not help but make you wish you were out there, too. The lacrosse team played with so much heart that the entire crowd was into the game.

There are quite a few extremely talented athletes on the lacrosse team and the way they all worked together to get the win was very impressive. It is always nice to watch athletes leave it all out on the field.

Unfortunately, they lost Wednesday, but both teams played with so much heart that it was a great game. There was a huge supporting crowd and the entire atmosphere was charged with emotion.

This past Tuesday night, my grandpa and grandma from Idaho flew into town in order to come to the regional and state track meets as well as attend graduation.

I have lived on the East Coast for 12 years now and so I do not get to see my extended family nearly as often as I would like. It really means so much to me that they took the time to come to see my family, but obviously they came mostly to see me.

I am so very grateful for my family. They support me in all of the activities that I participate in. My family comes to many of my sporting events and my four siblings are my best friends.

Although we do not always see eye to eye, I know that in the end they will be there for me. I will really miss my family a lot when I go to college.

Thank you to everyone who reads these diaries. It was quite an honor to be asked to do them and it is enjoyable for me to be able to reflect on the exciting events of my senior year.

Madison Pachner Leonardtown senior