Hey guys! So I just saw a little while ago that for some reason you voted me #4 Best Mod and #14 Rookie Of The Year, which I'm technically not qualified for but let's keep that on the low, my interview with Michael Lowry won #8 Best Interview, and User Interviews won Best User Initiative. Wow. And today's my fifteen-and-three-quarters-birthday.

So it's been just under a year and a half since the day I thought to myself, "hey, let's join this random site, it'll be fun." I had no clue how important Genius would become. Over the past eighteen months, I've grown as a person and a contributor while making some great friends along the way. You've probably heard the legend of my path to modship at some point since I hardly shut up about it. Seeing my name amongst those of other mods who have worked relentlessly to make this site a better place was mind-blowing, and such a humbling experience. Here I am, a fifteen-year-old who wanders into the Target CD section whilst mumbling about how music isn't what it used to be, somehow winding up on a list of accomplished professionals who have had such a positive impact on the community.

The idea for User Interviews came to me around the end of January, a few weeks after I had become an editor. I made a thread proposing it, and with some elbow grease it came to life. There were a handful of people telling me I had ripped off of the original interview series that took place in the forums, which I had never even known about until after my series started. Since the beginning, you guys have shown such enthusiasm in continuing the initiative and getting to know each other in a new way. It amazes me that something I drafted within ten minutes has become something so big, and now it even has its own category at the Genius Awards, which is crazy!

There are tons of people I want to thank while I'm being all sappy, but there are a few specific names that stand out to me. Freeus, you coached me to editor and I honestly can't thank you enough. Epaulettes, you made my dream of being a mod come true, and have been so supportive even when the water was rough. Zach, you're one of my best friends and you're always there for me, even if you live an hour away. Evan, keep doing what you're doing, keep your head up, and I'll always stand by you like you've stood by me. ScopeY, you deserve the Genius Award for Best Presenter, thanks for being you and making all of our Genius experiences a little bit brighter. On that note, I should get back to my seat, *cough cough* chem homework *cough,* but thank you to everyone who voted for me and everyone who's helped me out in any way. Love you guys! <3