Sitting in my makeshift office at home, I lethargically stare at the “to-do list” I have typed up on a Word document in front of me.

My eyelids feel overwhelmingly heavy and each blink strains my energy. Even rubbing my eyes can’t wake me from the inevitable truth that I have put off – I have so much homework to do.

Such is the concern of any high school student in their senior year.  With loads of AP coursework, after school activities, and Modern Family on Wednesdays, there isn’t enough time in the day! Not to mention, how are we supposed to apply to college with all this other stuff piled up?

But it seems I have gotten ahead of myself.

Right about now, I’m sure you’re wondering “who is this talking and what am I reading?”  Thus, it is only necessary that I adequately introduce myself: Hi, my name is Zach, I’m 17 years old, and I’m a Cancer (astrological sign).

I am also in my senior year of high school at the International Community School in Kirkland. At ICS, every senior is required to participate in a “culminating project” and are often encouraged to choose an activity they wouldn’t ordinarily pursue.

For instance, who would have thought an all-star runner would focus the majority of her year on making driftwood sculptures?

The neat thing about a culminating project is that one gets to stretch their comfort zone. I never for a second would have thought that I would be writing a column for a newspaper, but here I am!

So yes, until March, I am going to be interning at the Kirkland Reporter, writing columns, blogs, and covering stories.

By writing for the Reporter weekly, it is my wish to represent the teenagers of Kirkland to the greater community.

The subject matter of this column will be geared towards adolescent interests, though it can be enjoyed by everyone, so parents and teenagers alike, please hit me up if you want me to focus on anything specific.

What I hope to gain from this experience is independence, responsibility, and maybe improve my time management strategy.

Without a doubt in my mind, my stay at the Reporter will heighten my literary skills and will mold me into the competent writer I have always envisioned myself becoming.

Adding this internship to my “to-do list,” like most high school students who are also multi-tasking sports, homework, work, social life, and other extracurriculars, one must admire our resilience to accomplish so much on so little sleep.

Kirkland Reporter intern Zach Shucklin is a senior at International Community School in Kirkland. Contact Zach with questions, comments or column ideas by emailing: zshucklin@kirklandreporter.com