If there’s one thing I’ve learned in high school, it’s to say, “yes” to everything. Which honestly sounds bad on the surface — I don’t mean to do drugs (say no to drugs, kids!), or commit a crime, or anything like that — but when an opportunity shows up, take it. 

There are little ways this manifests on the daily: when a friend asks you to hang out, I say yes. What’s there to lose? Maybe a few hours of personal time, a couple episodes of the TV show I’m watching, but in the end, I gain a whole lot more. Tighter bonds with my friends, even a couple of new ones, and the bone-deep satisfaction after having laughed my heart out. 

And it’s not just in your personal life; everything that I’ve accomplished in high school is because I said yes, because I stepped up and achieved a good majority of everything I’ve wanted to do. I said yes to being in both Broken Box and Talon, to becoming an Opinions Editor and, most importantly, to writing my own column. 

I’ve dreamed, weirdly, about writing that column since junior year, about what the title would be, and what my pseudonym would become — but fear has always held me back. Anonymous or not, it’s still terrifying to put so much of yourself out there, especially when I know the somewhat homophobic attitudes of my parents, who diligently read every issue of The Talon. I didn’t want to face the uncomfortable sit-down with my family, the probable tears and the seemingly gaping distance between who I am and who my parents want me to be (cis, straight, etc.) that kept me from saying yes. 

But one day, I was just tired of it. Of being afraid, constantly looking over my shoulder and not being able to express myself. So, I decided on that title and pseudonym (thank you, four years of Latin classes) — and being able to write about sexuality and gender identity in my column quickly became one of the most liberating things I’ve felt. Each issue felt like a little confession, to myself and, realistically, the five other people who read it too. It’s been the subject of basically every single, “Who are you?” college application, and it’s something that I’m endlessly proud of. If I hadn’t said yes to writing my column, I’d still be stuck in a series of daydreams and what-ifs — living in regret for my own inaction. But my yes has turned into something bigger and better than I ever imagined it to be: Maybe not exactly a fanciful LGBTQ+ media sensation, but a chance almost every month for me to reflect on my identity, my ideals and who I am as a person.

I can’t imagine my high school career without any of those things: taking the leap of faith into an extra elective, leadership role and coming out to a whole bunch of people has genuinely made me grow into the person I am today. So whenever these opportunities arrive, don’t waste them. Say “yes” confidently — it might just be the best thing that’s happened to you.