The year 2017 was overall a good one for me

Even though some people might think 2017 was not a great year, I did not think it was that bad. But I do have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming 2018 as well.

In 2017, I was fortunate enough to continue school, have jobs that I love and enjoy time with my family. I was also able to check a few things off my bucket list.

The biggest thing I was able to cross off was attending the Country Music Association (CMA) Festival in Nashville, Tenn. Every year my mom and I watch the event on television wishing we could be there. Well this year we were able to go and experience it firsthand. The festival lasted for four days and had the biggest names in country music performing each night.

The bonus part of it this year was that the Nashville Predators made it to the NHL Stanley Cup during the same week, so we were able to watch a game downtown with thousands of people. Even though the Predators ended up losing, it was still incredible to be a part of the atmosphere and experience it.

A lot of my favorite moments of 2017 came from traveling or attending a concert. Even though Nashville is one of my favorite places on Earth, I was still lucky enough to enjoy trips to San Diego and Disneyland in sunny California. A few road trips to the west side of the state and parts of Oregon were bonuses too.

The year also brought around a lot of good music to the Pacific Northwest. Garth Brooks selling out seven days at the Spokane Arena was probably a high point for a lot of people, but Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill also brought some good country music to the arena.

Even though it wasn’t in the Spokane area, Ed Sheeran and Old Dominion concerts were also in the top-10 moments of 2017 for me

Another highlight for me was following the teams at Eastern Washington University. At the beginning of the year, I was writing about the golf and tennis teams. I was able to go with the golf team when they competed at the Big Sky Championships in Boulder Creek, Nev. and watch them place sixth. The tennis teams also found success after finishing with milestone wins.

Towards the summer time, soccer season rolled around and after watching the team find early success, it was great to see them win the Big Sky Championships for the second-straight year, even though we were surrounded by snow.

Even though the football team may not have made it to the post season, the comeback win in Missoula, Mont. will be something I will never forget as I sat with Grizzly fans in the stadium.

And I can’t forget about the former Eastern Washington Eagle wide receiver Cooper Kupp being drafted into the NFL. Seeing his success on the field after being such a standout on the red turf was incredible. It also helps that Kupp now has a chance to win a Super Bowl. I was lucky enough to go watch the rookie play in Seattle and it was amazing to see Kupp still humble enough to walk over to the EWU crowd to sign autographs for everyone.

Working here at the Cheney Free Press also made 2017 enjoyable as I love my position here. Meeting new people while hearing their stories is one of my favorite parts of my job and I am lucky enough to have it.

Academically, 2017 was even a good year for me as I was able to continue to stay on the Dean’s List for grades and kept on track to graduate by spring 2018.

Overall, the year brought a lot of good times for me and I look forward to see what 2018 will bring for everyone around me.

Also, good luck to everyone out there with their New Year’s resolutions and I hope the year will be a good one for you too.

Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com