Guitar Club: A club started by an awesome teacher, Mr. Manley, at Shamokin Area High School during the 2016-17 school year that offers students not only a place to play all different types of music and instruments, but also so much more.

Between support from each other, support from faculty, and a great environment for learning new things, guitar club has definitely served its purpose to me, which is not just music, but also friendship and bonds that have been built throughout my experience.

So, thank you so much to Mr. Manley for everything over the past two years.

Without the support and opportunities you've provided for me, and the rest of guitar club for that matter, I don't think I'd be anywhere near where I am now in both my guitar playing and just overall confidence.

Starting off, I was a very shy person and I truly believe that guitar club was a big part of me becoming the spontaneous, outgoing version of myself that I am today.

Whether the new me came from becoming the designated 'club rapper,' the environment I was in, or just a mix of these and many other things, I know that I owe it overall to guitar club, because before this, I could never have imagined performing on stage like I so easily and comfortably do now.

Along with that stage confidence, came a confidence that I seem to now have in just about any other situation as well.

I think this goes without saying, but you're not just some teacher who decided to start a club. You're a teacher who cares about your students and club members and you definitely show us that.

Instead of being like some teachers who only care about what they have to teach and say, "leave your lives outside of the classroom," you make it a point to know you have our backs, and that really means a lot, at least to me.

As you've said yourself, I really have grown as a person...like A LOT, but without the advice and help that I've had from you, I don't think it would've happened, or at least not as quickly.

Anywhere from little guitar-playing tips to actual conversations about what's been happening in my life, you have always made it a point to show that you genuinely care, which is more than I ever expected to get out of joining a high school club.

As I go onto college, I plan to use every bit of advice I've received from you, and hopefully by doing so I can continue to grow like I have since joining guitar club.

So one last time, thank you so much for the support, advice, and overall confidence you have given me to take with me throughout the rest of my life.

I will undoubtedly miss you next year as a teacher, a role model, and a friend, but don't think guitar club has seen the last of me because I will most certainly be back in the very near future!