walking into room 214 for the first time, i remember picking the seat in the corner, right by the door. i was given a poem to read and annotate on the first day of school, and i remember going home and telling my mom that i was most definitely going to fail ap lang. looking back i probably severely overreacted, but the only way i made it through was because of the writers and people who supported me. i cannot thank you enough. i am deeply indebted to the writers that guided me on this journey. sarah vowell for teaching me, for the first time, that professional writing does not always have to be formal in the partly cloudy patriot. david foster wallace for reminding me to stay optimistic in this is water and for boosting my ego over my veganism in consider the lobster. maxine hong kingston for highlighting the use of storytelling to convey a deeper meaning in the woman warrior. f. scott fitzgerald for introducing me to a million new perspectives on the american dream and our country...