A letter from Nov 15, 2024

Dear Future Me, As I sit down and take up this letter, I'm filled with so much expectation and hope. High school is that moment of one's life when so much growth, learning, and shaping is happening. Integrity as a core value lights the way that shall assist me in navigating through these times and in making choices that reflect honesty, strong moral values, and consistency. Integrity is about living a life that is honest and transparent, even when shortcuts or white lies may be considered the easy option. That means taking responsibility for myself and making sure my actions match my words. At high school, I will make it a point to be truthful in my interactions with friends, teachers, and family because trust is based on honesty. Through this, I want to generate the reputation that I can be trusted and relied upon by acting with integrity at every instance so that others find it easy to confide in or rely on me. Whenever times of challenge arise, whether it be academic pressure, social dynamics, or extracurricular commitment, I will look to my value of integrity to guide me through each circumstance. I will look for balanced solutions that do not violate my values. These situations will bear down on me through stress and deadlines, but a good use of time management and asking for help where needed will keep me from succumbing to the urge to take shortcuts and lower the quality of my work and interactions. Equally important will be to surround myself with a supportive network of people who share my integrity values. The encouragement and feedback derived from them will help solidify the commitment further and give that sense of community. The ability for regular reflection upon self will provide ways in which goals are met, enabling celebration of the small victories and learning from missteps. Eventually, it will be the way I establish authentic relationships and give room for merited success. By living this core value, I will make decisions that further my academic and personal growth and leave a positive impact on people around me. Future Me, I hope that when you reminisce on these high school years, you are proud and know that you have lived a life that honored your values and made choices reflecting the best version of yourself. Continue pushing through the hurt and heartache with integrity guiding you-you will truly do some amazing things. With hope and determination, Your Past Self