What’s the Story? is a like your favorite book. You pick it up because someone says you should and then you start to read. You become invested and love what you are experiencing through this book. So much so that when you’re done, you can’t believe it’s over. So, the next chance you get, you pick it up again. I am re-reading What’s the Story? . I am getting ready for the parts I know are coming, but I am also excited to find out the new things that I missed when I read it the first time, filled with continuous surprise and awe at how much fun I was having.

I am Elsa Lindenmeyr, a freshman at Champlain Valley Union High School. I did What’s the Story?  last year and am returning to continue a different topic. I am think of doing Climate Change as my topic, but I don’t know what’s going to happen or where my research will take me in the next few months, so I won’t make anything official.

This year, I am the one who’s ready to do something amazing again and notice the difference between last year’s experience and the one that follows. I am the one who is ready to become engaged and motivated again but just for something new. I am the one who is ready to make a difference and can’t wait for the process of learning and action to begin.

I am here because I want to try something new and different, but still follow the same steps to achieve a different outcome than the one prior to it. I am here because I loved last year so much I wanted nothing but a second chance to make an even bigger difference. I am here because I am not satisfied with the work I did last year and want a do-over with more experience to know what to do.

I am the one who wonders what will change? What will be so different that it will not be recognizable from the past experience I’ve had? And at the same time, what will be the same? Who will I meet that will engage me just like the people of my topic did last year? What new things will I discover with this new topic and how does it compare to what I studied last year? I am the one who wonders what am I in for and how could it possibly be any better than the experience I had last year? I am ready to find out and can’t wait for another chance to learn and explore the world around me.

Today, the kickoff of What’s the Story?  2017-18, is the first chapter that I’m experiencing. It is familiar and new at the same time. The people are different and I feel more comfortable than I did on the kickoff last year. This is to be expected because I’m returning, but it makes me wonder what else will be comfortable and how can I push myself out of my comfort zone? I’m excited to find out and will have to just be patient and see what happens next. Here’s to the the beginning of a new year with What’s the Story?